It's hard to imagine an Indian curry without the chillies, Italian antipasto without the capsicum, or a Mexican feast without the fiery salsa. Commonly known as peppers, chillies and capsicums are eaten in almost every culture and, with their gloriously coloured fruit, also make fantastic ornamental plants.

Heat it up!

How hot do you like your chillies? The heat comes from a compound called capsaicin. Most of it resides in the white flesh and seeds; reduce the heat by cutting them out.

How do I grow them?

Given the right conditions, plants in the pepper family are very easy to grow. With many forms available, you'll find one that's right for your garden and palate.

Aspect

Pick a warm spot that receives full sun for at least half of the day. In cool areas, find a spot that provides a suitable microclimate and that is protected from frost; like a sunny covered balcony, a warm courtyard or under a tree canopy.

Soil Quality

Rich, free-draining soil is essential for peppers. Blend in a quality compost a week or so before planting your peppers. Add dolomite before planting.

Fertilising

Feed well. For mature plants, a liberal dose of pelletised organic plant food at the start of the growing season and in early summer is ideal. Regularly apply a liquid seaweed tonic like Seasol, and a soluble plant food such as Thrive Flower & Fruit.

Keep plants well mulched with a weed-free product like lucerne or pea straw.

Watering

Peppers need regular watering to produce quality fruit. However, they are quite tough once established and can tolerate dry conditions provided they have periodic deep waterings.

Soil that stays wet for long periods can bring on rootrot and may also lead to fruit having a bitter taste.

Plants grown in soil that's too dry will produce small crops of undersized fruit and will often be hotter than you would expect of the same plants raised in ideal conditions.

Pests and problems

Keep your plants healthy to prevent problems developing.

Mildew and mould may appear in humid conditions and if plants are overcrowded. To fix these problems, cut back on overhead watering and thin out the bushes.

If caterpillars are a problem, remove by hand or treat your plant with a product such as Yates Success.

Mites can appear on plants grown in sheltered areas or when humidity is low. Eradicate them with Yates Natrasoap or PestOil. Regular light misting with water on the underside of leaves can help, too.

Picking and pruning

Regular harvesting induces more fruit to grow, so make sure you pick early and often. Peppers will colour if picked while green but will only develop their full flavour and fiery taste when left to ripen on the plant. When you've picked all the summer crop, prune the plants to at least half their size. In cool zones, this technique helps them survive over winter.