Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, it can be disheartening to see your pepper leaves turning yellow. It doesn’t always mean that your efforts are in vain, but it is a sign that you’ll need to work on identifying the cause and addressing it.
One of the most common causes is a lack of nitrogen, which all plants need to grow. If you’re using organic matter in your soil, practicing crop rotation and replenishing nutrients each year, it is less likely that this will be an issue. However, even the best-managed gardens sometimes run into problems with nutrient deficiencies.
Yellowing Pepper Leaves: Identifying the Culprits and Saving Your Crop
A deficiency in other essential nutrients may also contribute to yellow leaves. Magnesium and iron, for example, are necessary for a healthy plant. When these are deficient, leaves will turn yellow starting at the bottom and progressing up the stems. With magnesium deficiency, the veins will remain green, while the flesh of the leaf turns yellow.
Another possibility is a fungal disease or pest infestation. Fungus diseases such as fusarium wilt, Phytophthora blight, bacterial leaf spot and Southern blight will show symptoms of wilting and yellowing in the leaves and stems. A fungicide treatment will help restore the health of your plant and control the fungus from spreading to other plants.
Pests like aphids, beetles and psyllids can also contribute to yellow leaves. Look closely at your leaves for a tiny dot pattern. If this pattern is present, it’s probably due to an insect problem. Using natural control methods such as neem oil, which suffocates the insects, or insecticidal soap will help.
