When to plant Chilli Peppers in Birmingham

Capsicum annuum

Chilli Pepper
Chilli Pepper · Capsicum annuum

Chilli peppers are tender perennials grown as annuals in the UK, requiring a long, warm season. They thrive in a greenhouse or a sunny, sheltered outdoor spot, producing fruits that range from mild to intensely hot depending on variety and growing conditions.

60 cm · Full Sun · High Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Birmingham · average last frost around 27 Apr

Sow indoors February, plant out June, harvest August to October. Typical frost risk October to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Start chillies indoors, harden them off, then grow them in pots in a warm, sheltered spot.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    11 Feb to 26 Feb

    Sow seeds in a heated propagator at around 11th February - 26th February. Cover with of seed compost and keep it evenly moist.

  2. 02

    Prick Out Seedlings

    25 Feb to 19 Mar Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Once seedlings have two true leaves, prick them out into small pots from 25th February - 19th March. Handle carefully by the leaves to avoid stem damage and plant at the same depth as before.

  3. 03

    Pot On and Pinch Out

    11 Mar to 2 Apr Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Pot on around 11th March - 2nd April when roots show at the drainage holes. Pinching the growing tip at can make the plant bushier, but it can delay the first fruit.

  4. 04

    Harden Off Plants

    18 May to 1 Jun

    Harden plants off through 18th May - 1st June. Start with a sheltered spot by day and bring them in at night, then leave them out for longer as they adjust.

  5. 05

    Transplant to Outdoor Pots

    1 Jun to 15 Jun

    Move plants into their final pots around 1st June - 15th June, but wait until night temperatures stay above . Put them in the warmest, sunniest sheltered spot and space them apart.

  6. 06

    Water and Feed Plants

    15 Jun to 30 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every week

    Keep the compost evenly moist from 15th June. Once the first flowers open, feed with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser every 7 days through 30th October.

  7. 07

    Harvest Chillies

    10 Aug to 30 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Cut fruits with scissors from 10th August. Pick them green or leave them to reach their mature colour. Flavour and heat depend on the variety. Keep picking through 30th October.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Chilli Pepper to consider

Apache

A compact variety ideal for pots, producing small, hot red fruits that mature early in the UK season.

Cayenne

A classic long, thin chilli with medium heat, perfect for drying and using in sauces.

Jalapeño

A popular medium-hot chilli with thick walls, great for fresh eating or pickling.

Chilli Pepper guides by town

See how Chilli Pepper timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.