Although peppers aren’t really known for causing trouble in the garden, they can still be a headache to grow if they start displaying signs of common problems. These include rot, poor fruit development, discoloring foliage, and so much more.
In today’s article, let’s ease the inconvenience for you and discuss a list of all the common pepper problems you’ll face on a daily and what you can do to fix them.
If you’re also growing tomatoes, you’ll definitely want to check out this guide on common tomato problems and how to fix them!
Common Pepper Problems & How To Fix Each One
1: Leaves Curling Inward Or Downward?
Pepper leaves will usually curl inward or downward as a result of excessive heat exposure.
However, other factors like overwatering and pest infestations, which can make the plant weak, may contribute to it as well.
Fix: Generally, it’s a good idea to water pepper plants only when you feel the top 1-2 inches of the soil are dry to the touch. In case the issue is heat-related, apply mulch at the base to reduce heat stress as much as possible. Insecticidal soap can be helpful for warding off harmful pests and insects.
You might also find this helpful: the top pepper mulches you need to try. It explains how mulch can reduce heat stress and support healthier, stronger plants.
2: Flowers Falling Off Before Forming Fruit?
More often than not, you’ll find pepper flowers falling off earlier than usual. This happens when temperatures are high and the plants don’t have sufficient phosphorus to work with.
Fix: Give your pepper plants plenty of shade during the hottest part of the day, and consider getting hold of a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to make flowers more resilient.
You might also like our article on why peppers drop their flowers and what you can do to stop it, it goes into more detail about this common issue and how to manage it effectively.
3: Small Or Deformed Peppers?
If you notice that your peppers are unusually small, and some even look completely out of shape or proportion, inconsistent watering or poor pollination may be the underlying problem.
Fix: Amend your watering routine for instant improvement in your pepper growth and size. Try not to scare away pollinators and consider companion planting to attract them to your garden even more.
Take a look at this guide on how long peppers can go without water, it covers watering consistency in detail and can really help with improving fruit size and shape.
4: Yellowing Leaves? (Lower Or Overall)
Discolored leaves are commonly caused by a strong nitrogen deficiency in the soil or potential overwatering, which makes the plant weak and drowsy.
Fix: Apply a balanced fertilizer to bring your pepper leaves back to life and keep applying it consistently (with gaps in between, ofcourse) during the growing season. Avoid overwatering to prevent soggy soil and make sure the drainage is sufficient to keep excess water out.
If yellowing leaves are your biggest concern, you’ll definitely want to check out this guide on pepper leaves turning yellow, it walks you through the causes and practical fixes in more depth.
5: Peppers Turning Black Or Soft At The Ends?
Yeah…this is the clearest indication of blossom end rot, which is typically caused by a combination of inconsistent watering and major calcium deficiency.
Fix: First and foremost, you want to introduce plenty of calcium to your soil either through the use of crushed eggshells, tea, or even lime. When you water, aim to water evenly throughout the pepper crop and not flood certain areas more than others.
6: No Fruit Despite Healthy Growth?
This one can be a little tricky to navigate, but if you see no fruit development on your pepper plants despite solid plant growth, excess nitrogen levels in the soil or lack of pollination might be to blame.
Fix: Experiment with using a low-nitrogen fertilizer or opt for a balanced one at least. For pollination, natural pollinators are best, but if they’re not doing their job well, you can manually pollinate your pepper plants using a soft brush.
7: Holes In Leaves Or Fruit?
If you notice strange holes and patterns in your pepper leaves or fruit when harvesting, pests and insects are definitely the culprit. Peppers are especially susceptible to caterpillars, cutworms, and flea beetles in outdoor environments.
Fix: First, manually remove all pests using your hands (wear gloves) and then spray down your entire pepper crop with a neem/peppermint oil spray to keep the creepy crawlies away forever. You can also use row covers if the situation is critical.
And if you’re looking for more natural ways to deter pests, take a look at our article on the best companion plants for peppers, they can help protect your crops without chemicals.
8: Brown Or Black Spots On Leaves?
Unlike those entire holes and bite marks on fruit, if you notice unusual brown or black spots on leaves, it may be a fungal or bacterial leaf spot that could be eating away at your pepper plants.
Fix: Your number one priority in this case should be to get rid of all affected leaves, as they may spread the infection to other plants. Also, avoid watering above the base and getting leaves wet, as it can attract long-term fungal problems down the line.
9: Stunted Plants Not Growing?
Sometimes, it’s not only overheating that can damage pepper plants. Overly cool soil temperatures can also stunt plant growth and even send the plant into transplant shock if it’s young and newly transplanted.
Fix: Absolutely DO NOT plant peppers in the ground until the soil is sufficiently warm. Also, once transplanted, give them full sun exposure to create balance and encourage quick adaptation.
If your pepper plants seem stunted or just not growing, take a look at these easy tips for growing peppers outdoors.
10: Wilting During The Day? (Even With Moist Soil)
Root rot or fungal diseases are likely to cause wilting during the daytime. Another factor that may contribute to worsening the issue is soil compaction, which completely ruins drainage.
Fix: A very simple fix to this issue is planting your peppers in raised beds and actively working on improving soil drainage, either through the use of different textured organic materials or just loosening up the soil manually.
Fast Fixes? Here’s What Actually Works In Small Gardens
Are you growing in peppers containers? Take a look at this easy tips to grow bigger and healthier peppers in containers!
Let’s Conclude
As much as I enjoy growing peppers, the truth is that, for most people, it’s not that simple. Peppers may not be known to cause much trouble, but once they do, it’s difficult to bring them back to normal, which is why you must prioritize prevention more than late solutions.
The best piece of advice I can give you for growing peppers is to always monitor your plants as they grow, and do not let them go for more than 2-3 days without being closely examined to spot any slow-developing problems early on.
