I’m not sure of the origin of these little hot red cherry bombs but I’m so glad we have them in the chilli patch. They are called Red Cherry Chilli (Capsicum annuum) and a fortunately a perennial that should keep the chilli’s coming. The chilli patch is netted at Booyong to avoid the little ones confusing them for cherry tomatoes.

Growing – Whilst it is a perennial chilli, in cooler climates it is considered an annual plant and will need to be replanted each year. It can give 50-100 chilli’s each plant and will grow about 90 cm tall, preferring full sun and well-drained soil. This chilli can be grown either in the garden or a pot.

Care – Frost will affect this plant, so be mindful when planting and consider staking if laden with fruit. It likes lots of water in summer and when flowering.

Pruning – Prune back in Autumn after fruiting.

Companion Planting – Carrots, onions and tomatoes are good companion plants.

Pests and Diseases – Susceptible to mildew and aphids are common pests.

Harvest – Pick often to encourage more chilli’s and be sure to wear gloves and don’t rub your eyes after harvesting.

Propagation – Plant seeds direct in Spring or after frost or raise as seedlings to a depth of 5mm, 50 cm apart. You can expect germination from 7-21 days, depending on the temperature.

Eating – This chilli is considered medium to hot and has a heat measurement of 6-7/10. It can be cooked or eaten raw and has a thick skin which makes it prefect for stuffing.