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.

As the Scoville rating isn't available for all the chilli varieties we stock at Kings the below quick guide might be helpful when deciding which chillies you are going to plant this season!

Drying Chillies

Once your plants are rewarding you with a bountiful harvest of chillies, drying is a simple and satisfying way to preserve those flavours for months to come! You can air dry chillies by hanging them on string in a warm, well-ventilated spot; a sunny windowsill or kitchen bench works well! Alternatively, using a dehydrator or oven on a low setting is a fast alternative to gently remove the moisture while keeping the colour and heat intact.

How to tell when they're dried to perfection: Fully dried chillies should feel papery and brittle to the touch, snapping cleanly when bent. If they're still leathery or flexible, give them a little more time as any remaining moisture can cause mould during storage.

Once crisp and completely dry, store your chillies in airtight jars or tins, ready to crumble into stews, sauces, and spice blends all year round. A little summer heat, bottled for winter warmth.

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.