When to Plant Chilli Peppers in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Sow September to November. Right now in September you can sow.

Also called chili, hot pepper.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Chilli Peppers guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Chillies are warm-season Solanaceae grown for their pungent fruit. Five cultivated species exist, with C. annuum (jalapeno, cayenne) and C. chinense (habanero, reaper) being most popular. They thrive in Australian heat and are easier to grow than capsicums because smaller fruit ripens faster. Perennial in frost-free areas.

Planting Calendar for Cold / Highland

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - - S S/T S/T -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Chilli Peppers sowing time in Canberra?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cold / Highland zone right now, Chilli Peppers included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 11.2°C (optimal range: 20–35°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Canberra), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Chilli Peppers in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

Greenhouse only for reliable production. Outdoor growing is marginal for even the fastest varieties.

Soil
Well-drained, moderately fertile soil with compost. Slightly acidic preferred. Overly rich soil produces foliage over fruit.
pH Range
6.0-6.8
Sunlight
Full sun (minimum 6-8 hours). More sun = more heat in the fruit.
Spacing
45cm apart, 60cm between rows
Watering
Moderate and consistent watering. Slightly less water than capsicums. Some controlled water stress when fruit is ripening increases capsaicin (heat) levels. Avoid waterlogging.

Companion plants: Basil, Marigold, Tomato, Oregano

Avoid planting near: Fennel, Other Solanaceae in same rotation bed

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Chilli Peppers

Recommended Varieties

  • Jalapeno
  • Hungarian Hot Wax

Key Challenges

  • Insufficient heat units
  • Frost at both ends of season
  • Very slow fruit development

Pro Tips

  • Greenhouse is essentially mandatory for chilli growing in highland areas
  • Jalapeno is the safest bet. It matures faster than almost any other chilli
  • Pots on a sunny verandah work better than open garden

Harvesting Chilli Peppers

When ready: Depends on variety and intended use. Green chillies: full-sized, firm, glossy. Ripe chillies: fully coloured (red, orange, yellow etc.). Hotter when fully ripe. Some varieties (jalapeno) can be used green or red.

How to harvest: Cut with scissors or secateurs leaving short stem. Do not pull. Wear gloves when harvesting super-hot varieties. Capsaicin on fingers causes painful burning if you touch eyes, nose or other sensitive areas.

Worth growing?

A 2.4 m × 1.2 m bed fits 6 plants, about $360 worth at today’s Coles prices, checked today.

That is roughly 6 kg at $60.00 a kilo.

Draw your chilli peppers bed → No account needed.

Common Chilli Peppers Pests in Cold / Highland Zones

Bacterial Wilt, risk: MODERATE (score: 42/100)

Organic prevention: Net before fruit colours. Harvest promptly. Remove all fallen fruit. Community approach most effective.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What chilli peppers costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Snow Peas and Asparagus.

The pest most likely to find your chilli peppers: Aphids (Green Peach, Cabbage, Cotton).

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $60.00/kg (12-month range: $60.00–$78.00)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Chilli Peppers

When do you plant chilli peppers in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does chilli peppers grow all year round in Canberra?

No. In the Cold / Highland zone the planting months are Sep to Nov. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

What else is chilli peppers called?

Chilli peppers is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it chili, hot pepper. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.