How to Water Chilli Plants

What do you need to consider when watering chilli plants?

1. Location:

The location of the plant has a big impact on watering. For example, if the plant is in a very sunny location, it will need more water than in a shady location (although chilli plants should always get the location with as much sun as possible). Indoors, watering once or twice a week is sufficient. If they stand outside all day in full sun in very warm temperatures or in windy conditions that also dry them out, daily watering may also be necessary. It is best to check the moisture level of the soil with your finger (or use a soil moisture meter).

2. Soil moisture:

The soil should be slightly moist, but not too wet. Waterlogging should be avoided as this damages the roots. Chillies can tolerate a bit of drought, but you should water them at the latest when their leaves start to droop.

3. Watering interval:

How often you need to water depends on various factors, such as the size of the plant, the soil conditions, the weather and humidity and the location in general. As a rule, you should water about every 2-3 days. If the summer heat is intense and the plants are exposed to sunlight, watering is necessary every day, preferably in the evening or early in the morning before it gets hot. If the plants are indoors, watering once or twice a week is often sufficient.

4. Watering quantity:

The amount of water depends on the size of the plant, the pot size and the moisture content of the soil. As a rule, you should water enough so that the soil is soaked but no water remains in the saucer.

5. User saucers:

If the soil in the pot is dry, it will not immediately absorb the water and it will run through. Therefore, potted plants should always have a saucer in which the water is collected and can later be absorbed by the soil. A saucer also prevents important nutrients from leaching out of the planting soil.

6. Water temperature:

The water temperature should not be too cold, as this can damage the roots. A temperature of about 20-25 degrees Celsius is optimal. So it is best to fill the watering cans a few hours before watering so that the water can take on the ambient temperature.

7. Fertilisation:

Chilli plants need regular doses of fertiliser to grow and thrive optimally. This can be given, for example, once a week with the watering water. However, care should be taken to apply a dosage according to the manufacturer`s instructions, as over-fertilisation can damage the plant.

Chili Life Hacks:

No waterlogging!

Chillies need regular watering, but under no circumstances waterlogging, because the biggest enemy of chilli plants is "wet feet". A permeable soil is the be-all and end-all. If they are permanently standing in water, the roots start to rot and the plants die. In midsummer this is usually not a problem, but in autumn you really have to make sure that no water remains in the saucer.

How to water?

Water chillies - like tomatoes - only at the root ball, not over the leaves and fruit.
A saucer and the pot are important because otherwise the nutrients are washed out. Then the taste also suffers.

Watch out for symptoms!

It is important to observe the plants regularly and to watch out for signs of over- or undersupply to be able to react quickly. Too little water is indicated by drooping leaves. But beware: drooping leaves can also be an indicator of waterlogging. To avoid this, a layer of pebbles, clay beads or vermiculite should be placed at the bottom of the pot. A soil moisture meter can also be helpful.

How to get more flowers on the plant?

A little trick for plants producing a lot of flowers is to put them under water stress for a short time while they are flowering. This also works with many other plants, as the stress causes the plant to try to reproduce before it dies. To achieve this, stop watering and fertilising when the very first flower buds appear. After two to three days of water stress, the plant will produce more flowers.

How can I get my chillies hotter?

When the chillies are already large and only need to ripen, the plants can tolerate occasional drying out. This additionally increases the heat in the fruits. However, caution is advised: you must not leave the leaves hanging for too long, even a chilli plant will not survive that. But if you want rather mild jalapenos, for example, just give them a little more water.