Chilli Seeds NZ 2 farmers with chillies for heads standing in a chilli field with Auckland in the distance.

Kia ora — welcome to Ignition Seeds.

Ignition Seeds was started by two mates, both called Rich, who shared one slightly unreasonable obsession: growing the best chillies we possibly could, right here in New Zealand.

What kicked off in 2020 as a backyard experiment with a few jalapeño plants quickly got out of hand — in the best way. One variety became ten, ten became dozens, and the obsession turned into a mission: to help more Kiwis grow outstanding chillies at home, from the everyday to the eye-watering.

Grown here, not shipped here

We're a New Zealand chilli seed specialist, and everything we sell is grown right here — never imported and repackaged. From our base on Auckland's North Shore, we cultivate across three growing locations to keep quality high and supply steady for growers across the country.

That also means we can offer the stuff that's genuinely hard to find. We grow 65+ varieties, from mild and fruity through to some of the hottest chillies on the planet — including plenty you'd struggle to track down anywhere else in NZ. (If you've ever hunted for a decent Poblano or a proper superhot and come up empty, you'll know exactly what we mean.)

We want your seeds to actually grow

Seeds are only any good if they come up — so we back ours. If none of the seeds in a packet sprout, we'll send you a fresh pack. Simple as that.

Every order ships on fast courier delivery and comes with a germination and grow guide, so you've got everything you need to get from seed to harvest — whether this is your very first chilli plant or you're building a full-season patch.

Let's talk chillies

We're genuinely into this — the growing, the cooking, the slightly-too-hot dares. If you've got a question or want a recommendation for your conditions, get in touch. We're always happy to talk chillies.

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