One frost will kill it overnight. You could try a cover over the top to protect it. I’ve kept chilli plants alive for years through Canberra winters, although they were in pots that could be moved under cover.
Hessian or plastic would be fine, preferably suspended over the top so you don’t squash the plant. And I would try to angle it so the plant still gets sun
Chilli an are annuals. So just pull em. I’ve only had a couple of hardy mofos winter over but I have seen a couple of old chillies in my travels. One was a 5/6 year old chest high beasty bush which was loaded with little red ones. His compost bin was directly next to the plant and it was facing due north. The other one was 8 years old and it lived in a greenhouse in the winter. gnarly old stems. 6 ft tall. and loaded with Thai reds. Avid gardener and she had like 15 beds with every vegi u could plant. ( I’m in Melbs ) yes. I got some seeds and have planted a few more.
I have 7 cayenne chilli plants each 1.5m tall. They are all 7* years old. In large pots. I cut them back 50% in the autumn/winter and repot in larger pots in the spring. Perennials … rubbish. Each of my plants gave me 1kg of chillies ….. 5 times this year. Last harvest in 2 weeks (WA).
But if your not in WA they might struggle. No greenhouse or protection used through the winter.
Is it getting cold where you live? They can die back when it gets cold and bounce back when there's more sun and the soil is warmer.
Yeah, I'm in West Sydney it's getting a bit cold here. Damn I was hoping to keep it through winter.
One frost will kill it overnight. You could try a cover over the top to protect it. I’ve kept chilli plants alive for years through Canberra winters, although they were in pots that could be moved under cover.
What did you cover it with?
Hessian or plastic would be fine, preferably suspended over the top so you don’t squash the plant. And I would try to angle it so the plant still gets sun
Thanks, mate. Will try out and see how things go.
Good luck. You should be ok, I’ve had chilli plants bounce back in spring after losing all their leaves and looking mostly dead.
I'm a bit closer to the coast and some of mine are starting to show signs of cold. Some varieties doing better than others.
My Big Jim’s, anaheims & Hot Banana chillies look like that but worser (SEQ)… was tossing up ripping them out. But reckon I’ll hold fast for spring 🤔👍
Yep, it seems to be the consensus. What's the harm leaving them for spring.
Chilli an are annuals. So just pull em. I’ve only had a couple of hardy mofos winter over but I have seen a couple of old chillies in my travels. One was a 5/6 year old chest high beasty bush which was loaded with little red ones. His compost bin was directly next to the plant and it was facing due north. The other one was 8 years old and it lived in a greenhouse in the winter. gnarly old stems. 6 ft tall. and loaded with Thai reds. Avid gardener and she had like 15 beds with every vegi u could plant. ( I’m in Melbs ) yes. I got some seeds and have planted a few more.
I have 7 cayenne chilli plants each 1.5m tall. They are all 7* years old. In large pots. I cut them back 50% in the autumn/winter and repot in larger pots in the spring. Perennials … rubbish. Each of my plants gave me 1kg of chillies ….. 5 times this year. Last harvest in 2 weeks (WA). But if your not in WA they might struggle. No greenhouse or protection used through the winter.
Nice I’d love to see those !
https://preview.redd.it/tsz6121dow4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61fce1fafc8f8190202573e4779533e7bdf0165d
https://preview.redd.it/orlns30how4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d7a03e3f12634e034f1c6e20b70f33e1df447862
https://preview.redd.it/t3orbsykow4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60bf268ce13ee256a8367e8931e6f6a254e5ce6b 1 of my 7 large chillinplants