How To Grow Hot Chillies

Super hot chillies are like no other fruit on Earth, and while they may be tiny, boy do they pack a punch on the Scoville heat units scale (also known as SHU).

Super hot ghost chillies come in at 750,000 SHU, scorpions around 1-1.5 million SHU, and the hottest chilli in the world, the Carolina Reaper, clocks in at upward of 2 million SHU. In comparison, the humble chilli jalapeno comes in at a mild 5,000 SHU and cayenne chilli at a medium intensity of 50,000 SHU.

Their uniqueness does not end there. Super hot chilli seeds are not like regular chilli seeds - they have very specific requirements for successful germination and growth. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to grow super hot chillies from seed so you can become the spiciest home gardener in Australia.

Our How to Grow Super Hot Chillies Guide

Heat

Super hot chillies originate from tropical regions with hot and humid climates and more consistent temperatures than those found anywhere within Australia. This has resulted in super hot chilli seeds requiring a growing medium with a constant temperature of around 22°-26°C to germinate within the optimal 2-week period.

Not all soil mixes are suitable for growing super hot chillies as they prefer light and fluffy mixes that are slightly acidic 5.9-6.5 pH. Inert mediums such as Jiffy® coir pellets are ideal for starting super hot chillies and whilst super hots like humid/moist conditions, they do not like sitting in water.

The growing medium needs to be moist but not wet, otherwise the chilli seeds are at risk of rotting. Overly wet soil may also extend germination by up to 6 weeks and increase the risk of ‘damping off’ of young seedlings. So, water your super hot chilli seeds using a spray bottle instead of pouring water over the soil.

A Stable Environment

To achieve the stable environment required for germination and growth, we recommend the use of a greenhouse. This will provide soil warmth and humidity. A HeatPad may also be required in areas where the climate can’t sustain a consistent soil temperature range of ± 2°C tolerance both day and night. Fluctuating temperature will set your seeds back.

Growing Super Hot Chillies

The first 7-10 days of growing are the most important for successful seed germination. By keeping the environment as consistent as possible in these early days, you may achieve germination in as little as a week.

If you achieve a consistent environment with correct heat and moisture levels, your seeds should not need any attention until after day 5, when light watering may be required.

As a rule, the less interaction you have with the seeds in the first 5-7 days, the better!

When it comes to transplanting your chilli seedlings, be careful not to disturb their roots as this can really set them back. Wait until your seedlings have 4-6 true leaves before transplanting, and plant them in a pot so you can move the plant around. You can even bring it indoors if needed.

Plant into a big pot in a quality fertile (but free draining) potting mix and feed with a potassium-rich fertiliser to promote fruit growth. Keep the water up to them and do not let them dry out, but at the same time, remember not to overwater.

This should see you harvesting your chillies in no time!