Recommended equipment

100W full-spectrum LED. Covers a 60×60cm area at 18" height. Quiet, dimmable, and enough for 6–8 seedlings through to young plants.

Compact panel ideal for a single shelf or small propagator setup. 33W actual draw. Great for a windowsill boost.

Cheap and tempting, but the light output is far too low for chilli seedlings. You'll get leggy plants within a week. A false economy.

4 × 2ft strips that link together. Mount under a shelf for a multi-tier setup. 80W total. Good spread, easy to install.

Standard UK insert that fits most seed trays. Deep enough for chilli roots. Buy 3–4 and rotate as seeds germinate at different speeds.

Drop in water, they expand into a neat growing plug. Transplant the whole thing — zero root disturbance. Slightly more expensive per seed but very beginner-friendly.

Deep, hinged cells that open like a book for transplanting. Excellent for chillies that develop long taproots early. Reusable season after season.

Heated base with a clear lid. Holds a standard seed tray. Simple on/off — no thermostat, but reliable and widely available in the UK.

Cheap, flexible mat that sits under any tray or pot. Raises soil temperature by 10–15°C. Pair with a clear lid for humidity control.

Plug your heat mat into this and set the exact target temperature. Stops overheating, saves electricity, and gives you proper control.

Thermostat-controlled, tall enough for seedlings to grow in, expandable with extra tiers. The serious option if you're growing 20+ plants.

Fine-grade, low-nutrient compost designed for germination. Available at most garden centres. Mix with perlite for better drainage.

Mix 20–30% perlite into your seed compost for drainage and aeration. Prevents waterlogging, which is the #1 killer of chilli seedlings.

Expands with water into a light, peat-free growing medium. Good alternative to compost. Needs added nutrients since coir is inert.

Specifically formulated for chillies and peppers. Contains the right NPK ratio plus trace elements. Use from potting-on stage onwards.

Tomato feed that works well for chillies too. High potassium for fruiting. Available everywhere. Not quite as good as Chilli Focus but half the price.

General-purpose tonic that strengthens roots and improves stress tolerance. Use as a foliar spray or root drench alongside your main feed.

First pot-up size after modules. Square pots pack tighter on a shelf than round ones. Enough room for 4–6 weeks of growth.

Intermediate size before final pots. Good for hardening-off stage when you're moving plants in and out.

Final home for most chilli varieties. Fabric pots air-prune roots for a healthier root system. Foldable for off-season storage.

Budget final pot. Fine for compact varieties and smaller spaces. Add drainage holes if they don't have them.

Shows current temperature and humidity. Put it in your propagator or on your grow shelf. Knowing your actual temps prevents guesswork.

White T-labels. Use a pencil, not a marker — pencil doesn't fade in sunlight. Label everything. You will forget what's what.

For watering delicate seedlings without disturbing the soil. Also useful for foliar feeding with seaweed extract.

You'll need support canes once plants hit 30cm+. Superhots get tall and top-heavy with fruit. Tie loosely with soft twine.