Do Chilli Plants Need Pruning?

[SundayAfternoon]

I've just had a fantastic chili crop, but my plants are now looking a little 'forlorn'. Should I cut them back?

I know that chillis can keep producing all year, and live for 2 years (I think). But, I'm not sure about cutting them back or not.

Thoughts?

[loong]

I have found that they do not regrow if cut back to the woodiest growth, but that is only my experience.

Maybe different with different chillies.

You can take cuttings from the new growth if you feel that the plant is a particularly good producer.

[SundayAfternoon]

Thanks Loong, I'll just leave them, and see what happens. I can always plant more eh, there's no shortage here!

[loong]

You could always try it with just one, won't lose everything if it didn't work.

[DerkMR]

I had a "Tepin" chili grown for 3 years before dying from cold (obviously not in Thailand, 180 cm high plant).

So best to not cut back if the plant is not in current growing cycle. Plants actively growing and being watered have no problem being cut back, but best to only cut back to the most recent new branches showing.

Bye,

Derk