Chili plants need a long hot growing period, which is why they are often grown in Southern climates. Growing chili plants in an upper Northern region can be difficult due to short seasons that don't appropriately allow the chili plants to develop. The best option is to plant chili seeds using a container so that you can grow them indoors. A chili plant must receive as much sunlight as possible as soon as the cold weather arrives.
Dig a hole in the soil-filled pot that is 1/2 cm deep and 1/2 cm wide. Pack the soil back around the seed and sprinkle 1/2 cup of water over the seed immediately.
Place your chili plant in a window sill or area where it will receive an abundance of sunlight. For best result, keep the plant under artificial grow light for at least 16 hours a day. You can also place the plant outside on warm days, but never put your plant where the temperature gets below 50 degrees F.
Water only when the soil appears dry. If the plant is getting as much sun as it should, then you should pour 1/2 cup of water on the plant one to two times a day. Make sure that there is at least 2-inch holes at the bottom of your pot that allow drainage for the water. Also, never water the leaves.
Use a small pair of hedge clippers to trim the stems during the winter dormancy period. Cut off at 1 inch from each small branch. Reduce your watering during the winter period to 1/2 cup of water every two days.
Increase your water once spring starts and leaves begin to sprout. Pour a 1/2 cup of water for one to two times every day. You may need to transfer your plant to a larger pot, when the seedling grows between 6 and 12 inches. Also, after you transfer the plant, spread a low level organic fertilizer on plant soil.
Continue giving your plant water and sunlight as the chili peppers grow. You can harvest them at any time depend on how hot you want the pepper to taste. The riper the pepper, the hotter it will be.