Hotter Chilli plant varieties need more water

Bhut Jolokia and Scorpion Butch T plants need more water than most

Chilli growers and lovers will be familiar with capsaicinoids, the chemical behind the chilli fruits fiery and much prized bite.

Research by Joshua Tewksbury at Washington University points to the fact that these capsaicinoids are used by the growing chilli plants to deal with fungus and microbes that are detrimental to its fruit, especially its seeds.

Chilli plants with higher levels of capsaicin are less drought resistant then less hot varieties.  Findings were that the hotter varieties of chilli plants have quite a few more stomata ( pores ) on the underside of their leaves and therefore lost more water than their milder cousins when conditions were drier.  Milder chillies varieties such as the Jalapeno with fewer stomata are much better at retaining water.

Take this little factoid into account when you are growing chillies of different varities!

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