Heirloom Chilli Pepper Seeds – From Mild to Fiery Hot

Chillies are among the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Over 8,000 years ago, people in Latin America were already collecting the spicy fruits of wild chillies and preserving their seeds. Selective breeding began much later – and over time led to an impressive diversity of chilli varieties with a wide range of flavours, shapes and heat levels.

Most chilli seeds available today come from the Capsicum species annuum, chinense or baccatum. Even sweet peppers trace their origins back to wild chillies – although they lost their heat through centuries of cultivation. Wild ancestral types such as the so-called Tepin chilli are still considered especially hot and close to the original form.

Chilli seed needs slightly more warmth than many other vegetable seeds, but can be grown easily in Central Europe. Whether in the garden, on the balcony or as a decorative container plant: chilli plants grow bushy, produce abundant fruit, and are both attractive and high-yielding. If you’re looking for help getting started, our chilli sowing guide has all the essential tips for successful cultivation.

In the kitchen, chillies are indispensable – few other spices offer such a wide range of flavours and intensity. That’s exactly why it’s worth growing your own, trying different varieties, and perhaps even experimenting with your own crossbreeds.