Quick summary

The piri piri pepper can be grown from seed and generates a hardy plant ideal for cuttings, etc.

This is a similar chilli to that used by the Nandos chain of chicken restaurants.

The african birdseye chilli peppers prefer direct sunlight, well drained soil and need to be frost free.

Days from seed to harvest – about 150 (6 months) and will grow to about 60 to 70 cm high

There are 3 options:

1. December to February – the best option is to start them indoors about 8 to 12 weeks before the last frost. Step by step guide below.
2. Feb to June – Or you can sow them outside, only when there is no more frost.
3. All year round – Or you can grow them all year round on a sunny window ledge (or using grow lamps)

If you want to grow them outdoors then the best option is to start them indoors in individual pots and then transfer them when the nights are warmer.

Step 1

 The first step is to get the Birdseye pepper seeds. You can order them online or some garden centres will sell them.

Not often mentioned but if you simply add the seeds into a bowl of water for 30 minutes to 1 hour they will start quicker then simply putting them in soil.

Step 2

The next stage is to put the seeds in the soil.

Do not use jiffy peat pots, plugs, or potting soil as the soil becomes too dry or too wet, which can lead to low germination, disease and fungus.

Fill small cells or trays with a good sterile seed compost and sow the seeds on the surface. “Just cover” with a fine sprinkling (3mm) of soil or vermiculite. Keep the compost moist – don’t let the top of the compost dry out (a common cause of germination failure)

Step 3

Then simply put the pot or tray somewhere safe and leave them to sprout.

However a much, much quicker way is to use a heat mat. The pepper like soil with a temperature of 20 to 24 C.

All you do is put the tray on the mat and the extra heat will significantly speed up how fast your seeds will grow.

Available from Amazon

Step 4

The seeds will germinate in 14 to 21 days.

Once seedlings emerge they do not require quite as much heat, temperatures can be reduced to 18oC by day and no lower than 16oC at night..

Step 5

Re-potting and growing

It is best to re-pot in stages before their final pot size, but be very careful.

Too little heat, too much moisture, and lack of air circulation will cause poor results.

Once in final pot size plants may need staking for support.

Fully grown they can be up to 60 to 70 cm in height i.e. an individual pot might be the best option.

Because of the importance of moisture and light the peppers are ideally suited for hydroponics with additional lights – like the pictured automated hydroponic unit

As they will be ready to be harvested quicker than planted in soil.

A key advantage is that it is very easy to grow them, as the system is fully automated and will provide exactly the right amount of water and feed.

However please note they do love sunshine – and a grow light will help.