How to maintain healthy chillies

Chilli pests and diseases to watch out for

Spider mites

Spider mites suck the sap out of plant leaves and leave stippling and webbing behind. Once you notice any signs of this, spray a layer of neem oil onto your plants to get rid of the spider mites. Neem oil is a natural pesticide that can kill spider mites and prevent them from reproducing and spreading disease that can harm your plants.

Whiteflies

Whiteflies also suck the sap from plants. You can often find them on the underside of leaves. It’s best to get these under control early, as infestations can cause serious damage to your chilli plants. Do this using the same method as above, applying a layer of neem oil if needed.

Caterpillars and snails

Snails and caterpillars love to feast on chilli plants, munching on plant shoots and leaves. If you see them, try hand-picking them off your plants or use an insecticidal soap. To discourage them from coming near your chilli plants, apply a deterrent like neem oil or plant some companion plants like marigolds.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is one of the most common plant diseases. It typically turns up on plant leaves, flowers or fruits in the form of dark lesions. These tend to show up when you’ve got too much humidity around your plants, causing a damp environment that becomes a breeding ground for disease to spread. To reduce excess humidity, make sure you’re watering your plants carefully at the roots and avoid watering the leaves, flowers or fruits.

If you’ve got your plants in pots, keep them away from each other so they can receive ample air circulation. Make sure you keep your garden clean and remove any dead plant material at the end of the growing season to avoid spreading any disease. As a last resort, you can opt for applying a fungicide to rid your plants of the disease.

Powdery mildew

Another common fungus is powdery mildew. This shows up in the form of light grey or white powdery spots on plant leaves, on stems, flowers or even the chilli fruits. If left alone, this fungus can spread and cover your entire plant, causing it to wither and become weak. The main culprit for powdery mildew is not enough sunlight and poor air circulation, so make sure you space your plants out away from walls, fences and each other to increase airflow.

For existing plants that are affected, use a pair of shears to thin out their leaves to give them more air, and apply a fungicide as a preventative measure or treatment.

Seasonal care for chillies

Spring

Spring is an important time to provide extra care for your chillies so that you have a bountiful harvest. In spring, chilli plants typically enter a period of active growth, where they’ll start flowering and fruiting. To help them thrive during this season, make sure they receive adequate sunlight, typically at least six to eight hours per day. Provide well-draining soil that’s packed with nutrients, incorporating rotted manure or compost. Water consistently, but avoid overwatering by checking that the soil is dry between waterings. To give your plants a boost, fertilise every two to three weeks.

Monitor regularly for pests and diseases. You’ll also want to monitor the weather. If there’s a threat of frost, cover your plants with plastic sheeting overnight, removing the cover during the day to allow sunlight and air circulation.

Summer

In summer, chilli plants typically experience the peak of their growing season. To help them thrive during this period, keep up the consistent watering, as the soil can dry out quickly in the heat. Mulching around the plants with a product like organic sugar cane mulch helps retain moisture and regulates the soil temperature so your plants don’t overheat. Regularly fertilise with a balanced fertiliser to support continued growth and monitor for pests and diseases as usual.

Let the sun do all the heavy lifting and give your chillies a good six to eight hours of sunlight every day. Despite being heat-lovers, remember that your chilli plants are still susceptible to sunburn, particularly in the hot and intense sunlight of summer. To prevent sunburn, gradually expose the plants to direct sunlight, and use a shade cloth or nearby taller plants for temporary shade during the hottest part of the day.

Once your plants start getting heavy with fruit, provide support by staking the plants. Summer is the best time to harvest your chilli peppers. Mature peppers will display vibrant colours and a firm texture. Look for fully developed, crisp and well-coloured peppers. Be generous with picking, as this encourages more fruiting. Use a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the chilli peppers, leaving a short stem attached.

Winter and autumn

In autumn, chilli plants typically begin to slow down their growth as the temperature cools. In winter, they may go dormant or even perish due to frost.

To help chilli plants thrive during autumn, gradually reduce watering and harvest the remaining chilli peppers. In winter, your main goal is to keep your chilli plants in a state of dormancy so they can bounce back in the spring. Consider moving potted chilli plants indoors to a sunny location. If they’re in the ground, provide protective coverings like mulch or row covers to shield them from frost.

It's a good idea to prune back any dead or damaged growth for your plant’s best chance at survival. With a pair of pruning shears, trim back each plant, leaving approximately 10cm to 15cm of the main stem. From there, you resume your spring routine for a healthy restart and abundant fruiting.

For more advice on growing chillies...

Check out this plant care guide to growing chillies.