Chillies & Sweet Pepper Plants
Our exciting collection of chilli and pepper plants has been specially selected by our growers for performance, taste and vigour. Raised on our nursery in the South Downs, they’re also well equipped to deal with the UK climate, bringing you better harvests and easier growing. This year we’ve introduced some of the world’s hottest chillies and new grafted varieties of chillies and peppers, for improved yields and disease resistance.
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South Downs National Park
Meet Josh
Slow grown veg from the sunny South Downs
Our vegetable plants are sown on a family farm in Lancashire, then nurtured into strong young plants by Josh in the sunny South Downs before they rock up in your garden. By selecting only the strongest and tastiest varieties, Josh makes sure you get a headstart on your plot, with impressive crops and no waste.
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Chillies & Sweet Peppers FAQs
When is the best time to start growing peppers and chillies in the UK?
You can plant out peppers and chillies after the last frost has passed (typically by the third week of May) or grow them indoors in pots at any time of year.
What type of soil do peppers and chillies prefer?
Peppers and chillies do best in a fertile, well draining soil that’s had plenty of compost or well rotted manure mixed in.
How much sunlight do pepper and chilli plants need?
Peppers and chillies need full sun to produce flowers and fruit, so they should be planted in a position with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day throughout the growing season.
What temperature is ideal for growing peppers and chillies?
You’ll get the best results from your pepper and chilli plants at temperatures between 18 and 30°C, with night time temperatures no lower than 13°C. Using a heat mat or growing in a heated greenhouse or conservatory can help with this.
How should I water pepper and chilli plants?
Water your pepper and chilli plants regularly. Watering deeply once a week is better than little and often, and you should allow the soil to dry out between waterings for the best results.
Do peppers and chillies need feeding?
To get the best from your plants, give them a sprinkle of general purpose plant food when you plant them. Once the flowers start to appear, switch to a high potassium feed such as tomato food and apply it every two weeks throughout the growing season.
How do I support pepper and chilli plants as they grow?
Some pepper and chilli varieties grow quite tall and will need support, especially pepper plants, which can break under the weight of their fruit if left unsupported. Tie the main stem gently to a plant stick or bamboo cane or use a plant cage if you think they need more support.
Can peppers and chillies be grown in containers?
Peppers and chillies are ideal plants for containers. Choose a pot at least 30cm wide with good drainage at the bottom. Plants grown in pots usually need to be watered and fed more frequently than those in the ground.
When are peppers and chillies ready to harvest?
Harvest your chillies and peppers when they reach the size and colour you want. They can be picked green (when they tend to be milder and not as sweet) or left to develop their full colour and heat/sweetness. For more growers’ tips, read our complete guides to growing chilli plants and growing peppers.
