Planting

Whether you’re a seasoned spice enthusiast or just starting to embrace the heat, chillies are easy to grow with a little know-how. Chillies grow well in a spot with at least six hours of sun each day, and well-draining soil. When planting directly in the garden, choose a location that hasn’t previously hosted tomatoes, potatoes, or eggplants to reduce disease risk. Leave at least 30cm between each plant, and prepare the soil with Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets before planting. When planting in a pot, choose at least a 20L size to give your chillies room to thrive. Fill your pot with Kings Container Mix to keep them growing well.

Care

Chillies are relatively low maintenance. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy, and avoid wetting the foliage to prevent disease. To enjoy a bumper crop, feed regularly with Kings Tomato Food or Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. To enjoy your chillies for longer, consider drying them. When harvesting, be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth until you’ve thoroughly washed your hands. Select ripe, unblemished fruits, slice them lengthways, and remove the seeds. Pop them on an oven tray and bake for six to eight hours at 80°C. Store in an airtight container and enjoy!

Our Top Varieties

How hot is too hot? Your guide to choosing chillies:

From mild and fruity to mind-blowingly hot, there's a chilli to suit every palate. When deciding what to grow, there's much to consider, and lots of varieties to choose from. Chillies range widely in spiciness, and flavour can vary based on growing conditions and ripeness.

Kings Top Tip

In New Zealand's cooler winters, most chillies are grown as annuals, meaning they'll only last for one growing season. However, a few exceptions like Rocoto and Manzano can tolerate the lower temperatures and may survive multiple seasons.