Scotch Bonnet Chilli

These ‘Scotch Bonnet’ chilli plants (capsicum annum) love sunlight. In summer they will be happiest on a sunny windowsill, in a greenhouse or conservatory, or outside on a sheltered patio. As soon as the autumn frosts arrive, they need to be under cover. If you have not got a greenhouse a sunny windowsill will be fine.

Whilst chilli plants are in small pots, they will need regular watering. Remove the plant from its basket or pail and water from the top and let the excess drain away. Allow the top of the soil to dry out completely before watering again, particularly during the cold months.

Chilli plants are usually treated as annuals, so will in the native climate they will die back after fruiting. However, we have found from experience that it is possible to coax them into a second year by overwintering indoors. You will need to cut off all the chillies and prune the plant heavily at the end of the season, and then wait patiently for new growth to reappear in the Spring.

These peppers are notoriously fiercely hot, and great for adding heat to home-made salsa or chili. Store in a sealed container in the fridge if you can’t use them straight away, or they can be dried for later use.

Problem Solving. Any problems are usually associated with overwatering. If your plant becomes waterlogged, its roots need to be allowed to dry out and then a normal watering pattern re-established. If the leaves start to droop and the flowers start to curl you know it is thirsty, so water straight away. Yellow or brown edges to leaves is normally the result of low light levels in the winter but very yellow leaves are a sign that your plant is lacking nutrients so give it a good feed with any general houseplant or tomato feed and remove any discoloured leaves. Your plant will also benefit from being re potted in mid-Summer – choose a good general-purpose potting compost and a pot that is only slightly larger.