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Chili Plant - How best to tend over winter on a windowsill

tom2.coleman92661tom2.coleman92661 Posts: 1
in Fruit & veg
Hi folks,

I've been tending to a chili plant over the spring/summer which has produced perhaps a dozen chilies, so not the best harvest... but I would really like to keep it alive over the winter months and not 100% sure on the best course to take.

It is currently flowering and new buds forming - with it being on an indoor, east facing windowsill will it have any success in producing chilis over the winter? Or should I remove flowers/buds, or prune it back to let it converse its energy, ready for spring? If pruning back, how hard should you prune back a small chili plant like this?

Pictures to show it currently flowering and new buds growing (it is in the bathroom in an attempt to wash off another aphid attack)

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    If you really want to try, then prune it back to the main framework in a few weeks then keep it somewhere cool and dull but frost free and keep the compost almost dry.
    Then revive it when spring arrives.

    TBH is easier to grow afresh from seed if you can start them by February.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • NormandyLizNormandyLiz Posts: 788
    I've tried in the past and have never had much success reviving them after winter. I agree with Pete.8 that starting again from seed next year is easier.
  • CrankyYankeeCrankyYankee Posts: 504
    I just read about Bonchi - it's Bonsai for pepper plants and they say chili pepper plants are great for it.  I have a few varieties of hot peppers that are healthy but never produced fruit this year, so I'm going to give it a go and see if I can over winter them and make them beautiful at the same time. :)
    New England, USA
    Metacomet soil with hints of Woodbridge and Pillsbury
  • diggersjodiggersjo Posts: 172

    I’m quite new to the game, but this is my 3rd year for x3 plants. They have all been outside until a few weeks back. Two are now back on their east facing windowsill and one has horrid aphids. All 3 have lots of fruit and flowers still. The one with pests I’ve already hacked off a 10cm+ part with aphids, but not really sure how to go from there. Last year two stayed on there all winter and were watered as and when they were dry (most days). I did prune them, but failed to record exactly when, which is a shame because they were very successful this year. I think it’s a case of “suck it and see” , but suspect I’ll water/feed the same but cut back at least one of them more than the 50% they had there last year.  


    Yorkshire, ex Italy and North East coast. Growing too old for it!
  • myclayjunglemyclayjungle Posts: 162
    I have a habanero in a pot.  Last Autumn, I cut it right back, leaving each stalk about 10cm (4inch) long.  I barely watered it during the winter, and honestly thought it was dead.  I'd planned to throw it out, then after a good watering, noticed tiny buds!  

    This spring it regrew and produced a better crop than last year!  I might refresh the soil this year, but plan to do the same again and see if it grows again next year.
    Coastal Suffolk/Essex Border- Clay soil
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