With loving care, Habaneros also thrive in our latitudes. That's why we can cultivate many interesting varieties in our home garden as we please. In order for the fruits to ripen, cultivation must begin early.
What is the best way to grow habanero plants?
To grow Habaneros successfully, they should be sown in a warm room from mid-February. Make sure there is enough light, warmth, as well as suitable soil and planting distance. Choose varieties with shorter ripening times for a longer harvest in our latitudes.
Suitable location
Most varieties are characterized by extreme spiciness. A single plant is usually enough to cover all needs. Finding a place for them shouldn't be difficult. Of course, you can also grow several plants or several varieties at the same time.
- grow in a bed or pot
- Provide a sunny, warm location
Tip
If you can't tolerate spiciness, you can eat a “Sweet Habanero” chili without hesitation. With a spiciness level of 0, it is a sweet variant of the Habanero family.
Optimal timing
Habaneros require warmth and cannot tolerate frost. That's why they're only welcome outdoors after the Ice Saints. We would like to harvest the first pods in May. This is only possible if sowing can take place earlier.
From mid-February, this chili can and should be sown in a warm room.
Seeds
Seeds can be purchased in all garden centers and hardware stores. Homemade seeds can also be sown. Special plant shops offer a larger variety of varieties.
Tip
Make sure to choose varieties with shorter ripening times so that you can enjoy a long harvest even in our latitudes.
Sowing
Chili seeds need plenty of heat and light to germinate. Please note the following instructions when growing them:
- Soak seeds in water for 24 hours
- sow in potting soil
- not all Habanero varieties are light germinators
- be sure to pay attention to the information on sowing depth
- Keep room temperature between 20 and 22 °C
- even better is 28 °C and more
- if applicable. Use a heated cultivation container
- Moisten the soil and cover with foil until germination
- Air the film regularly
- choose a bright window sill as a location
- Install plant lamp if necessary
Isolate
Until the plants are allowed outside in May, it will be necessary to isolate them indoors. The time has come as soon as the second pair of leaves has formed. You can save yourself this work if you use a separate small pot for each seed.
Planting out
You can plant chili plants in a bed. The distance between two plants should be about 40 cm. An 8 liter pot is also a good home for a chili plant. The new substrate should be loose and permeable. Apply a slow-release fertilizer when transplanting. Further fertilization is only necessary after two months. The habanero must be kept slightly moist at all times but not too wet.
