Taking care of your plants

Overview

An eye-catching variety with dark purple foliage and striking, almost black fruits that ripen to deep red. Compact and ornamental, it’s well suited to containers and sunny patios. Fruits have a moderate heat and add colour as well as flavour to dishes.

• Vegetable Type: Patio Chilli Zimbabwe Black
• Key Characteristic: Striking dark foliage and fruits with moderate heat – ornamental and edible.
• Hardiness: Tender annual (protect your plants from frost).

PLANTING ADVICE

Plant in rich, well-drained compost. Best grown in large pots or grow bags in a greenhouse or sunny patio spot. Can be planted in the ground in a very warm, sheltered position.

• Outdoor cultivation

Grow outdoors only in a warm, sheltered, frost-free position from late spring to early autumn. Protect from cold nights.

• Greenhouse cultivation

Well suited to greenhouse cultivation. Maintain warmth, ventilation and regular feeding for best yields.

CARE & HARVEST

Keep soil moist and weed free. Feed weekly once flowers appear using a high-potash fertiliser. Remove any damaged leaves to improve airflow and check plants regularly for pests. Harvest fruits promptly to encourage further cropping.

• Watering: Water regularly and consistently, keeping compost moist but not waterlogged. Avoid letting plants dry out during flowering and fruiting as this can reduce yields.
• Feeding: Feed weekly with a high-potash liquid fertiliser once flowering begins to support fruit production.
• Cutting and prunning: Pinch out growing tips once plants are established to encourage bushier growth.
• Harvesting: Pick once fruits reach full size and colour. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more chillies.
• Pest and diseases: Check regularly for aphids and red spider mite, especially under glass.

VERVE RECOMMENDS...

• Pinch out the first flowers to help young plants build strength before heavy fruiting.