When to Plant Chilli Peppers in Perth, Mediterranean Guide
Sow August to November. Right now in September you can sow.
Grow Chilli Peppers in your space
Also called chili, hot pepper.
- Planting window
- Transplant October-November. Long warm season suits chillies well. Harvest January-May. Can be perennial in frost-free Perth microclimates.
- Days to harvest
- about 11 weeks
- Sunlight
- Full sun (minimum 6-8 hours). More sun = more heat in the fruit.
- Water needs
- Moderate and consistent watering. Slightly less water than capsicums. Some controlled...
- Spacing
- 45cm apart, 60cm between rows
- Soil pH
- 6.0-6.8
- Shop price
- $60.00/kg average
Published · Last reviewed · By GardenBuddy.au
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 Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs
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 Mediterranean
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | S | S | S/T | S/T | - |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 17.6°C (optimal range: 20–35°C) ✗ Outside optimal range
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Perth), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Chilli Peppers in Mediterranean Australia
When to Plant
Transplant October-November. Long warm season suits chillies well. Harvest January-May. Can be perennial in frost-free Perth microclimates.
- 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
Mediterranean Growing Tips for Chilli Peppers
Recommended Varieties
- Jalapeno
- Cayenne
- Habanero
- Serrano
- Tabasco
Key Challenges
- Summer drought without irrigation
Pro Tips
- Excellent chilli climate. Warm, dry conditions suit perfectly
- Habaneros will ripen reliably in Perth's long hot summers
- Ideal conditions for sun-drying chillies
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 Mediterranean Zones
Organic prevention (Bacterial Wilt): Crop rotation (5+ years away from Solanaceae). Well-drained soil. Raised beds. Grafting onto resistant rootstock is the best prevention in endemic areas.
Where to next
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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Open the planting dashboard Join GardenBuddy.auCommon 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:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Jul
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Mar, Aug to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Aug to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Aug to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Nov
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jul to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Aug to Nov
Does chilli peppers grow all year round in Perth?
No. In the Mediterranean zone the planting months are Aug 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 Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.