Overwintering chilli plants has several advantages and one obvious one is that you save time replanting seeds from scratch every year, which can often be time consuming. With an established plant, it can skip the early growth stage, quickly come to life and continue its development when the growing season starts. This means it doesn't need time to grow from seed, but is already mature, can quickly start flowering and produce fruit if conditions are right. So you can harvest chillies earlier and enjoy a longer fruiting season.
For the chilli plant to survive the winter, it needs a cool place where the temperature is around 10-15°C to avoid frost damage, reduced watering, sufficient light (possibly artificial), and pruning to remove dead tissue. The plant should be protected from pests and have moderate humidity. Good ventilation is also important to avoid disease and the plant should have a rest period where growth is reduced.
Site selection for chilli plants for overwintering:
Taking into account the chilli plant's need for lilyTemperature and humidity are important when choosing a place for them to hibernate, so buy a Humidity meter to be on the safe side. There are both advantages and challenges to the different methods. It depends on what options you have available and how much time and space you can dedicate to winterisation.
Indoor wintering:
Indendørs en meget populær metode. Da chiliplanter stadig har brug for en vis mængde lys for at overleve, kan et vindue mod syd eller vest være ideelt. Hvis man ikke har adgang til naturligt lys kan du bruge LED-vækstlys, men det er også vigtigt at rummet er køligt – omkring 10-15°C er optimalt. Det sætter planten i en form for dvale og hjælper den med at bevare energi gennem vinteren, så et køligere værelse eller en udestue vil være et ideelt sted. Chiliplanten skal dog stadig have lidt pleje i form af sporadisk vanding og beskyttelse mod træk og skadedyr som kan trives indendørs.
Overwintering in greenhouses:
The advantage of greenhouse Whether unheated or slightly heated, the chilli plant makes a more natural transition to winter because the temperature drops slowly without getting too cold. It protects against frost, rain and wind while providing sufficient light. However, it can be difficult to maintain the right temperature during winterisation if the greenhouse is not heated, so you can use fleece or Heating mats. It's also important to keep an eye on humidity as it can lead to mould and other diseases.
Dark wintering:
Is an effective method of overwintering but less well known. It involves placing the plant in a dark and cool place, such as a basement. This method puts the chilli plant into dormancy, where it stops its growth and saves its energy for spring. To ensure that the chilli plant starts growing again, the temperature should be kept around 5-10°C to avoid frost damage. The chilli plant loses its leaves when stored in the dark, but the roots remain alive and when exposed to light and heat again, the plant is ready to resume growth. If the plant is kept slightly moist, it can live in these conditions, although it looks a little sad without its leaves, and it takes a little longer to recover when it wakes up in the spring.
Choosing chilli plants for overwintering:
Suitability of chilli plants for overwintering:
Not all chilli plants are equally well equipped to survive the winter. Some varieties are hardier and better adapted to overwintering than others. Perennial varieties do better in the overwintering process as they are naturally adapted to live for several years under the right conditions.
Perennial varieties like 'habanero', 'naga jolokia' and 'tabasco' are more resistant to the changing conditions. They have stronger roots and a slow growth rhythm, allowing them to adapt more easily to the cooler and darker winter days when growth is paused. A variety like habanero has a natural ability to go dormant, which helps them maintain energy during the cold months and get them ready for new growth when spring arrives.
Varieties such as 'cayenne' and certain types of 'jalapeno' may be less likely to survive the overwintering period as their life cycle usually only lasts a single season. These plants are often more sensitive to cool and dark winter days and may have a harder time making the transition to dormancy. This can result in them not surviving the winter, even if they are indoors.
The success of overwintering also depends on the age and health of the plant:
Older and more established plants that have developed a stronger root system and solid plant body often have a better chance of surviving their wintering as they can better store energy and withstand stress. Whereas young plants or plants that have been exposed to disease or pests may be more vulnerable and therefore less likely to survive the winter months.
If you want to overwinter your chilli plants, consider choosing varieties known for their perennial nature and strong survival characteristics, such as habanero or other stronger chillies originating from warmer climates where the plants can naturally thrive for longer. But even within perennial varieties, it's important to note during the overwintering period there can be variation depending on growing conditions, including light, temperature and care
Pruning the chilli plant before wintering:
When preparing your chilli plants for overwintering, pruning is an important part of the process. It helps reduce the size of the plant for easier handling and storage and removes dead or damaged tissue, reducing the risk of disease and pests during hibernation. Proper pruning stimulates new growth so that when spring arrives, the chilli plant can start the new season stronger and healthier.
How to prune your chilli plant:
1. Remove damaged or diseased leaves and branches first, as they can attract pests and diseases during overwintering. Look for dry, brown or black branches, and leaves with spots or discolouration. Use clean pruning shears to avoid transferring diseases to other parts of the plant.
2. If you're storing the plant indoors, it's a good idea to prune it down to a manageable size. It should be cut back to about a third of its original height, and make sure to prune the longest branches to give the chilli plant a more compact shape. This limits the need for water and nutrients, which is important when the plant is dormant.
3. Always prune just above a node (the point where a leaf meets the stem), because when spring comes, this is where new growth will sprout. If you cut too far back or leave too long branches without nodes, you can prevent new growth and risk the plant not recovering properly after overwintering.
4. It's a good idea to remove both flowers and unripe chillies before the plant goes dormant, otherwise it will continue to spend energy trying to ripen them and this will weaken the plant's chances of surviving the winter.
When should pruning be done?
The best time to prune chilli plants is just before the first frost, or when the temperature starts to drop and the days get shorter. You prune the plant before it goes dormant, this is important so it can rest and gather energy for the next growing season. Pruning too early can stress the plant and too late can make it harder for it to recover.
Why pruning helps:
This reduces the plant's need for water, light and nutrients during overwintering and makes it easier for it to survive the dark and cold winter months. When the plant has fewer leaves and branches, it uses less energy to maintain itself when there are fewer branches and leaves. This gives its root system a chance to rest and prepare for spring. When the growing season starts again, the pruned areas will shoot new growth and the plant will come back stronger.
Cleaning the plant for overwintering:
Removing dead leaves and checking for pests:
It's important to prepare your chilli plants for wintering. You need to ensure the plant is healthy and free from diseases and pests, as dead or diseased leaves can cause infections and pests can survive the winter if not removed in time.
Removal of diseased or dead leaves and branches:
Diseased or dead leaves and branches are often a sign that the plant is infested with disease or pests, so it's important to remove them before it goes dormant, as these leaves can spread disease to the rest of the plant. Look through the entire plant for signs of discoloured or wilted leaves - typically yellow-brown or black - and trim them with clean pruning shears. If there are branches that show signs of being dry or brittle, they should also be removed. This helps the plant to concentrate its energy on the healthy parts and lowers the risk of infection.
Check for pests:
During wintering, pests are a threat to plants, with weakened plants in particular being more susceptible to attacks such as infections. Small pests such as aphids, spider mites and thrips hide on the underside of leaves, in the soil or in cracks on the plant. So it's important to inspect the plant thoroughly before overwintering. The signs can be small sticky spots or fine cobwebs, you can use a magnifying glass to look for the small insects on the underside of leaves and around the stems.
Natural solutions and insecticides:
If you find pests, it's important to take care of them. You need to act quickly if you find pests before the plant goes dormant for the winter. Natural remedies are the most gentle, they are safe for both the plant and the environment.
"Soapy water spray" is another solution that you can make by mixing mild soap with water. This is effective for removing aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Spray the plant thoroughly and make sure to rinse off the soap residue after about an hour to avoid damage to the leaves.
If it's severe, consider using 'industrial insecticides' that are specifically designed to control pests on plants. You should always choose a product intended for use on edible crops and follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid damage to the plant or the surrounding environment.
Prevention and regular inspection:
Pests can survive in hidden nooks and crannies and if not detected early they can spread quickly. So it's important that you check the plant regularly during hibernation and get a good start on the plant in the spring.
Indoor lighting conditions during winterisation:
Light requirements for chilli plants:
Chilli plants originate from warm climates where they receive around 10-12 hours of direct light daily to maintain healthy growth. It can be challenging for chilli plants to get enough light in northern climates, especially during the winter months when daylight is limited, so it may be necessary to supplement with artificial light during overwintering. Light is a necessity for the plant's photosynthesis - the biological process of converting sunlight into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This energy is used by the plant for growth, fruit production and overall survival. Without sufficient light, chilli plants will not be able to complete photosynthesis efficiently, resulting in yellow leaves, weak growth and reduced production of chilli fruit. This makes the plant more susceptible to diseases and, in the worst case, it can die. During the winter months it is often necessary to supplement with "artificial light" that can provide plants with the necessary amount of light when daylight is insufficient. Then you don't have problems like weak growth due to lack of light and leaf loss.
Artificial light as a supplement:
LED growth light are one of the most popular and efficient options when it comes to artificial light as they provide a full spectrum of light (including the red and blue light that plants need most for photosynthesis). LED lights are energy efficient and emit little heat, which is an advantage as they can be placed close to the chilli plant without causing overheating.
You can also use fluorescent tubes that are cheaper than LED growth light but are another popular option for plant growth. They give off more heat and should be placed a little further away from the plants.
For best results, you should:
- Place the light 20-30 cm above the top of the plant to ensure maximum light absorption.
- Switch on the grow light for "10-12 hours a day" to mimic the natural cycle.
- Use a "timer" to control the light automatically and ensure a regular light cycle.
In addition to light, it can be beneficial to adjust watering and fertiliser levels during the winter months as plants will grow slower. Overwatering can lead to root problems, while too much fertiliser can damage the roots of plants as their need for nutrients is reduced during the darker months.
Temperature for winterisation:
The ideal temperature range and how to avoid extreme temperature drops:
The ideal temperature for overwintering chilli plants is between 10-15 degrees, which is cold enough to slow growth, put them into a form of dormancy and avoid frost damage and cold shock. To keep the plant in this range, you can, for example, use a conservatory or greenhouse with heating mat and LED grow lights. You may want to invest in a digital temperature gauge with an alarm so you can be notified if the temperature drops below the desired range. Leaf loss and weak shoots can be remedied with sufficient light and moderate watering, while root or stem rot can be avoided with good drainage and the right amount of watering.
1. leaf loss:
When the plant goes dormant, there may be slight leaf loss as it tries to conserve energy, this is completely normal. Excessive leaf loss can typically be caused by too much cold, too little light or irregular watering.
To avoid this, you should:
- Place the plant near a sunny window or supplement with grow lights to ensure it gets enough light.
- Have an even temperature of 10-15 degrees as recommended
- Avoid overwatering and drying out. The plant needs less water in winter, it should be kept moist but not soaked.
2. Weak shots:
During the winter months, when the sun is less intense, chilli plants can struggle to produce enough energy to support strong growth. This can result in thin, weak shoots.
The solution to this can be:
- supplementing with artificial lighting, such as LED grow lights, to ensure it gets enough light during the winter to maintain healthy growth.
- You can also help the plant by applying a small amount of liquid fertiliser in a very low concentration once a month, so you don't over-fertilise but they get the necessary nutrients to support healthy growth.
3. Root or stem rot:
The roots or stem can start to rot if the chilli plant is left too cold or in too moist soil. It shows up as brownish soft spots on the stems or a spongy root structure.
To avoid this, you need to:
- Ensure good drainage in the pot and use well-drained soil
- Do not water as much, as it requires much less water when it is dormant.
- Make sure the plant is kept away from areas where temperatures can get too low and where the soil stays too wet.
Reawakening the chilli plant after overwintering:
Awakening the chilli plant in spring:
As spring approaches, with longer days, warmer conditions and rising light levels, it's time to wake the chilli plant from its winter hibernation. This should be done gradually as the plant needs to adapt.
1. When should the plant be woken from dormancy?
Plants should be woken up when temperatures start to rise steadily above 10 degrees and daylight lasts longer (typically late March or April).
2. Gradual increase of light and heat:
You should gradually increase the plant's exposure to light when it awakens from dormancy. Move the plant to a place where it gets a little more natural light or start using grow lights for longer periods. Increase the light by 1-2 hours a day until the plant again gets 10-12 hours of natural light daily. And you should also gradually raise the temperature to the ideal growing range (20-25 degrees). You should avoid sudden temperature increases as this can stress the plant.
3. Increased watering
When the plant wakes up after overwintering and starts new growth, start watering a little more often but be careful not to soak the soil. Keep an eye out if the plant starts to grow new shoots or leaves as a sign that its water needs are increasing.
4. Repotting in new soil:
Repotting helps give roots more room to grow and improves the nutrient content of the soil, promoting healthy growth in the coming season. Choose a pot with good drainage and use a light, well-drained potting soil.
5. Fertiliser retention:
It's important to wait until the plant shows signs of new growth, such as new leaves and shoots, as premature fertilisation can damage the roots, especially if the plant is still in transition from dormancy. You can start fertilising gently with a diluted fertiliser suitable for chilli plants and increase the amount as the plant comes into full growth.
FAQs: frequently asked questions
Why should you cut back chilli plants?
Cutting back chilli plants promotes new, healthy growth and controls the size of the plant to make it easier to overwinter. It also helps improve air circulation and prepare the plant for winter dormancy so it's ready to grow strong again next season.
Can you take cuttings from chilli plants?
You can take cuttings from chilli plants to propagate them into new plants. Cuttings are cut from healthy branches and placed in water or moist soil where they form roots.
Can chilli plants tolerate frost?
Chilli plants cannot tolerate frost. They are heat-loving plants and frost can damage their leaves, stems and roots, often leading to plant death. Therefore, they should be brought indoors when the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius.
Why are the flowers flaking off my chilli plant?
The flowers on your chilli plant can fall off due to too little or too much water, lack of nutrients, or temperatures that are too high or low. It's important to ensure good, stable growing conditions to preserve the flowers and encourage fruiting.
Why do chilli plants get yellow leaves?
Chilli plants can get yellow leaves due to over- or under-watering, nutrient deficiency, or poor light conditions. Temperature fluctuations, pests or diseases can also cause yellow leaves.
When to cut back chili plants?
You should cut back the chilli plant after the growing season before it goes into hibernation. This is typically in autumn and helps prepare the plant for dormancy by reducing its size and removing dead or damaged branches. The pruning also promotes healthy growth when the plant wakes up again in the spring.
