When to plant Chilli Peppers in Manchester

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 Manchester · average last frost around 17 Apr

Sow indoors February, plant out May to June, harvest July to November. Typical frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNo

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

    1 Feb to 16 Feb

    Sow seeds in a heated propagator at around 1st February - 16th February. Cover with of seed compost and keep it evenly moist.

  2. 02

    Prick Out Seedlings

    15 Feb to 9 Mar Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Once seedlings have two true leaves, prick them out into small pots from 15th February - 9th 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

    1 Mar to 23 Mar Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Pot on around 1st March - 23rd March 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

    8 May to 22 May

    Harden plants off through 8th May - 22nd May. 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

    22 May to 5 Jun

    Move plants into their final pots around 22nd May - 5th 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

    5 Jun to 8 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every week

    Keep the compost evenly moist from 5th June. Once the first flowers open, feed with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser every 7 days through 8th November.

  7. 07

    Harvest Chillies

    31 Jul to 8 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Cut fruits with scissors from 31st July. Pick them green or leave them to reach their mature colour. Flavour and heat depend on the variety. Keep picking through 8th November.

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.