When to Pot Up Chilli Plants and What Into
Potting up chilli plants is a balancing act — timing needs to be “just right.” Do it too early, and growth slows. Leave it too late, and you risk stunting the plant.
How to Tell When to Pot Up
The key is to let the roots guide you; the foliage will naturally follow.
From Seed to Starter Pot (7-9cm):
If you’ve started from seed in a plug, rock wool cube, or small ball of soil, look for roots poking out from the growing medium.
At this point, it’s time to pot up into a starter pot — typically 7-9cm in size.
[See our page here on potting into the first pot.]
From Starter Pot to Larger Pot (5-10 litres):
Let the plant grow again. When roots start emerging from the bottom of the pot and the soil holds together when lifted, it’s time for the next move.
Pot up into a 5-10 litre container, using the same technique: ensure roots make firm contact with fresh compost.
Timing
Your potting schedule will depend on how early you start:
Early Start (December–April): Superhots benefit from germination as early as December–January, while lower heat varieties can begin in February–April.
You’ll have enough time to pot up progressively from plug → 9cm → 5-10 litres → even up to 20 litres. Ideally, the plant should sit in its final pot by May.
This gives the plant three solid summer months (June, July, and August) to grow, flower, and pod, ready for a September harvest.
Later Start: If starting later, limit the pot size and the number of stages. A smaller pot forces the plant to grow efficiently with limited resources.
Even in a 9cm pot, chilli plants — including superhots — can produce a small harvest within 3-4 months after germination. While yields are reduced, you’ll still enjoy fresh pods.
What to Add When Potting Up
Add a little water around the soil where the roots meet the fresh compost, and a touch around the stem.
Water and feed lightly at the bottom (using a saucer) to help the plant settle and reacclimatise to its new home.
Be patient — new growth usually starts within a week after potting up.
See our pages on Watering here and Feeding here
Our Pot size symbols explained
Most chili plants will go from plug to 9cm to 5 litre to 10 litre
Some will stay in a 2-5 litre - windowsill or ornamental types
Depending on your setup and time going to a 20 litre or more is possible
Small Pot Size is 0.5 - 9cm starter pot to 2 Litre Pot Size
Medium Pot Size is 3 - 6 Litre
Large Pot Size is 6-20 Litre