Leaf yellowing and discoloration is fairly common in mature pepper plants. While it can occur in younger plants, most cases are reported after a few harvests or during the growth phase of the peppers. 

If you’re dealing with yellowing leaves in your pepper plant, this article will walk you through some possible causes as well as ways you can fix the issue before it’s too late. 

Pepper plant yellow leaves

A nutrient deficiency is a common cause behind yellowing leaves in a pepper plant. Nutrients like calcium and nitrogen give leaves the dense, vibrant appearance that we all know and love. If those nutrients aren’t present in adequate quantities in the soil, the plant’s leaves can weaken and begin to lose their charm.  

Pepper pest attack

Pepper plants are rather susceptible to pest infestations, especially if peppers are growing on them. Aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs can feed on foliage, often causing distinctive damage that appears as holes or patterns in the leaves. 

If you notice visible pest damage in your pepper peppermint plant, it’s best to take immediate action as pests aren’t known to be very merciful. 

While some plants thrive in frost and cold weather, others don’t respond to it very well and may even end up getting damaged due to lower temperature conditions. 

When it comes to pepper plants, they’re highly sensitive to extremely low temperatures, often showing signs of stress such as yellowing and discoloration in the leaves. 

Pepper leaf discoloration

If you water your pepper plant more frequently than it requires or go overboard with the water every time, it’s no surprise that your plant is stressed and experiencing leaf discoloration. Overwatering can even stunt plant growth and cause leaves to fall off rapidly without any drooping or wilting. 

Pepper plant yellow leaves

As I mentioned, pepper plant leaves yellowing and falling off typically means the plant is under stress due to poor watering practices. 

You can fix the issue by first dropping the idea that more is always better, especially when it comes to watering plants. Establish a consistent watering routine with fewer weekly sessions and make sure to avoid overwatering. 

Pepper plant problems

If your pepper plant leaves are turning yellow with brown spots, that’s definitely a sign of some serious sun damage. It means your pepper plant was exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time and the leaf tissue has dried out as a result. 

To protect your pepper plant, bring it indoors when the scorching heat arrives, or cover it just in time to shield it from the intense sun. 

Pepper plant yellow leaves

If your pepper plants are turning yellow despite fertilizer use, it may indicate that you’re perhaps using too much or too little fertilizer

If it’s a nutrient deficiency that you’re trying to address, too little fertilizer won’t have enough of an impact, while too much can lead to fertilizer burn, stressing the plant and causing yellow leaves. 

Bell Pepper plant

The best way to fix yellow leaves on pepper plants is to identify the underlying cause and address it to effectively combat the issue as a whole. 

  • For a nutrient deficiency, try out a balanced fertilizer that contains a good amount of nitrogen.
  • Pest issues can be tackled using homemade pesticide sprays made with neem oil and some water.
  • Since temperature isn’t really a factor that’s in your control, try to at least limit the amount of time your pepper plant is exposed to heat or frost
Pepper plant yellow leaves

When I was struggling with discoloration issues in my plants back in the day, I often wished a knowledgeable stranger would offer guidance and help me understand what I was doing wrong. Now, thanks to technology and the internet, that’s possible, and I hope to be that stranger for you! 

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