BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast Sowalong - Chilis, with Claire Vennis
Feb 14, 2026
A lively guide to starting chilli plants early, with clear reasons for sowing between January and March. Practical tips on selecting varieties by flavour and heat. Step-by-step sowing, germination and potting techniques are covered. Advice on hardening off, outdoor planting timing and colourful ornamental fruit choices.
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Start Chillis Early Indoors
- Sow chilli seeds early between late January and March to give plants time to flower and ripen.
- Start seeds indoors in warm compost and maintain 21–30°C for reliable germination.
Early-Year Sowing Ritual
- Claire Venice says chillies are among the earliest seeds she sows each year and enjoy getting her hands dirty.
- She finds sowing chillies uplifting when there's little else to sow in the garden.
Ripe Fruit Needs A Long Season
- Most chilli varieties take about 90–120 days from sowing to ripe fruit, so start early for full ripening.
- Hotter varieties need even more time, making January–February sowings particularly beneficial.