Want to grow chillies in hanging baskets? Here are the best chillies for hanging baskets. Read on for top varieties and care tips for a chilli filled garden.
Go for compact and colourful varieties like Basket of Fire, Chilli Apache and Orange Spice for chilli hanging baskets.
Proper care is key: use good drainage, water well and feed regularly for maximum growth and production.
Harvest chillies when they’re firm and ripe and explore different uses and storage methods like drying, freezing or pickling.
Choosing the right variety is the first step to a chilli hanging basket. Chillies for hanging baskets tend to be compact, colourful and flavoursome. These varieties not only add to the visual appeal of your garden but also adapt well to the conditions of hanging baskets.
Here are some top picks that gardeners love.
The Basket of Fire is a must have for any chilli lover looking to add some heat and colour to their hanging baskets. This variety has a semi-trailing habit so it will cascade over the edges of your baskets. Basket of Fire has dense foliage and an impressive amount of fruit that mature from deep purple through cream and orange to bright red. The multi-coloured fruit looks stunning and packs a punch with 80,000 SHU on the Scoville scale. This variety will tolerate cooler weather well into autumn so you’ll have a long display of fiery fruit.
Basket of Fire is easy to grow. Sow the seeds in a heated propagator for good germination. Once the seedlings are large enough, transplant them into pots or hanging baskets at the same depth.
As the plants grow they will produce lots of flowers and fruit for your visual delight and a big crop of hot chillies.
Another great option for chilli hanging baskets is the Chilli Apache. This variety is compact so perfect for small spaces and hanging arrangements. Growing to about 30cm in height it will fit into any small garden space and still produce a good yield. The fruit of the Chilli Apache is quite hot with a Scoville rating of 70,000-80,000 SHU.
Healthy seedlings are the key to a good crop. Sow chilli seeds from January to April in a warm environment above 20°C for good germination. Transplant the chilli seedlings into larger pots or hanging baskets once they sprout.
Feed regularly with quality liquid tomato feed or a slow release fertiliser to help the plants grow and produce a big crop.
For a colourful and mildly hot addition to your hanging baskets the Orange Spice is a great option. This beautiful plant has bright orange fruit and a moderate heat of 40,000 SHU so it’s perfect for adding a bit of heat without overwhelming heat. Orange Spice loves warm sunny positions, ideally grown in a greenhouse or a sheltered spot with plenty of sunlight. It also has a flavour profile that some people describe as thai hot.
Sow Orange Spice chillies from January to April in a warm environment. Transplant the seedlings into hanging baskets with good quality soil-based compost and drainage.
Water and feed with tomato feed to keep the plant healthy and productive. The orange fruit will add colour to your garden and flavour to your dishes.
Apache is ideal for patios as well as in the greenhouse.....
Average Contents: 10 Seeds
Just what you have all been waiting for - A chilli for hanging baskets!.....
Average Contents : 10 Seeds
Chilli Orange Spice is ideal for pots and patios.....
Average Contents: 10 Seeds
Growing chillies in hanging baskets requires some special care to get the plants to thrive and produce a big crop. From the soil to watering and feeding every step is important for the health and productivity of your chilli plants.
Follow these steps to learn about how to care for you chilli plants.
The base of any chilli plant is the soil. For chilli hanging baskets use a soil-based compost like John Innes No. 2 which balances nutrients and has good drainage. Good drainage prevents waterlogging which can cause root rot and other problems.
Make sure the compost is well mixed and not clumpy when filling your hanging basket. This allows roots to spread evenly and establish quickly. Adding a layer of gravel or broken pottery at the bottom will improve drainage and prevent water from pooling.
Chilli plants prefer a watering schedule where the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings. This prevents root rot and encourages strong root systems. Water once a week, make sure the water reaches the roots and the topsoil is dry in between.
An automatic watering system is a godsend for those with limited time. These can be set to water the plants at specific intervals so they get the right amount of moisture without overwatering.
Feeding chilli plants will support their growth and fruiting. Start feeding them every 2 weeks with a high potassium fertiliser, like tomato feed, once they start flowering. This will promote flower and fruit development and healthy productive plants.
For Chilli Apache and other small varieties use quality liquid tomato feed or a slow release fertiliser. Larger varieties may need more frequent feeding to support their growth and yield.
Regular feeding will prevent nutrient deficiencies like nitrogen deficiency which can cause yellow leaves and stunted growth.
Get the most out of your chilli plants by following these tips. Good light, support and pruning will give you a big harvest. Here’s how:
Chilli plants love full sun for at least 6 hours a day. So place your hanging baskets in a sunny spot like a south facing windowsill or a sheltered outdoor area that gets full sun. If natural light is limited use full spectrum LED grow lights to boost growth and flowering.
The right amount of light will support chilli plant growth, health and yield. Aim for 350-600 μmol/s*m² for best results.
As chilli plants grow they may need extra support to prevent damage and healthy development. Taller varieties will need staking with bamboo canes or plant sticks to keep them upright and not break under their own weight. Stakes or cages will keep the plant stable as they grow taller and produce more fruit.
Smaller varieties in hanging baskets will support themselves with their natural trailing habit. If needed use soft ties to tie the branches to the basket so they don’t get blown or damaged by wind or heavy fruit.
Pruning will encourage bushy growth and more yield. Pinch out the growing tips to promote side shoots and you’ll get a bushier plant with more fruit. This will also make the plant look better and more productive.
Strategic trimming will improve air circulation and light penetration and reduce disease risk and support healthy growth. Prune to keep your chilli plants strong and productive all season.
Keeping your chilli healthy means managing pests and disease. Regular monitoring will help you detect any issues early so you can take action and save your crop.
Here are some common pests and how to manage them.
Aphids will curl leaves, yellow leaves and stunt growth on chilli plants. Control aphids by regularly hosing them off the plant with a strong stream of water.
For persistent infestations use homemade soap solutions or non-toxic insecticidal soaps. These will dissolve the aphids’ waxy coating and kill them without harming beneficial insects. Natural predators like ladybirds will also help control aphid populations.
Yellow leaves on chilli plants can mean overwatering, nutrient deficiency or pest infestation. Identify the cause and act accordingly. If overwatering is the issue allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Nutrient deficiencies especially in nitrogen or magnesium can also cause yellow leaves. Use a balanced fertilizer and make sure the soil has the necessary nutrients to get the plant back to health.
Regular monitoring and adjusting your care routine according to the plant’s needs will prevent yellow leaves and have healthy beautiful plants.
Harvesting chillies from your hanging baskets is a joy. Knowing when and how to harvest will give you the best flavour and use from your chillies. And there are many culinary uses and storage methods to try and make the most of your bounty.
Harvesting time is critical to get the best flavour from your chillies. Harvest chillies by size, colour and firmness, regardless of the final colour. For example even green chillies can be harvested if they have reached the desired size. Ripe chillies will be firm, overripe ones will have soft spots or wrinkles. A taste test will also help determine readiness as everyone’s taste buds are different for heat and flavour.
The chilli growing season is from late spring to autumn and harvest time will vary depending on the variety. Check your plants regularly and harvest the fruit as they mature to encourage continuous production and prevent overloading. Harvesting at the right time will give you the best flavour and texture for cooking.
Growing chillies in hanging baskets is a fun and practical way to have fresh spicy fruit even in small spaces. By choosing the right varieties like Basket of Fire, Chilli Apache and Orange Spice you can have a colourful and productive chilli pepper basket that adds beauty and flavour to your garden. Proper care including the right soil, watering techniques and regular feeding will give you healthy seedlings and a big harvest.
To get the best growth and yield you need to give them optimal light, support the plants and prune strategically,,. Good pest and disease management will keep your plants healthy and productive. And knowing when and how to harvest and various culinary uses and storage methods will make the most of your homegrown chillies.
Grow chillies in hanging baskets and turn your garden into a colourful and spicy paradise. With the right knowledge and care you can have a continuous supply of fresh chillies to spice up your meals and share with your friends and family.
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