How to Grow Chilli

Basil's linalool and eugenol volatiles repel aphids (Aphis gossypii) and thrips that commonly colonise chilli plants, while some evidence suggests basil root exudates may stimulate capsaicin production. Plant basil 20–30 cm from chilli stems so both crops get full sun without crowding.

Carrots' deep taproots break up compacted soil layers, improving drainage and aeration around chilli's shallower fibrous root system. Their different canopy heights and root depths mean minimal competition for light, water, or nutrients.

Onion's sulphurous volatiles mask the scent trails that aphids and thrips use to locate chilli plants, providing olfactory disruption without any chemical inputs. Interplant onions at a 1:2 ratio (one onion per two chilli plants) for consistent coverage across the bed.

Chillies and tomatoes are both Solanaceae and share similar requirements for warmth, full sun, and moderate watering — making bed management simple. Growing them together can attract shared beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that predate aphids common to both crops.

Chillies and potatoes are both Solanaceae and share Phytophthora infestans (late blight) and Verticillium wilt, which spread rapidly between adjacent plants once established. Keep them at least 1 m apart and never follow one with the other in rotation — use a minimum 3-year gap.