The tree chili (bot. Capsicum pubescens) from Central America is quite related to the normal chilies, but rather more extensive. It can grow up to four meters high, has very tasty, thick-fleshed fruits and a woody stem.

Tree chili is not particularly easy to care for

location and soil

Tree chillies are not exactly undemanding plants. They generally prefer a semi-shady place, but often lose their flowers there. Tree chillies do not tolerate wind at all, but it would ensure good pollination. It is best to give your tree chilli a partially shaded and wind-protected place, which you can also shade during the flowering period.

Plant tree chillies

Dig a planting hole slightly larger than your chili's root ball and fill it about a third full with a mixture of garden soil, sand, compost, horn shavings ($39.99) and lime. Put your chili plant in it and fill the hole with substrate. Then pour the chili well.

Alternatively, you can also plant the chili tree in a bucket. This should be big enough (at least 10 liters) and stable enough for a large shrub. Be sure to create a drainage layer (large pebbles or shards of pottery) and use loose and well-drained substrate with a pH of around 6.5.

Water and fertilize

Tree chillies have a fairly high water requirement, especially during the flowering period. The soil/substrate should then always be evenly moist. When the first flowers appear, you can start fertilizing. Either fertilize every two weeks or use a slow release fertilizer.

Tree chillies in winter

Tree chillies are not hardy, they need a warm and bright winter quarters. Before overwintering the plant, check for pests. In the spring, cut back the tree chilli before putting the plant back outside.

The essentials in brief:

  • ideal location: sheltered from the wind and partially shaded, shaded during flowering
  • Soil: loose and nutritious, pH 6.5
  • perennial
  • bushy growth
  • can grow up to 4 m tall, mostly about 1.60 m high
  • well suited for container planting
  • hairy leaves
  • purple flower
  • particularly thick-fleshed fruits

tips

Tree chillies have beautiful purple flowers and are ideal for planting in containers.

Category:

Trees