Causes of Pepper Leaves Yellowing

Causes of Pepper Leaves Yellowing

Pepper leaves yellow  are fun to grow in your garden and are a wonderful addition to a variety of meals. But if you notice the leaves on your pepper plant turning yellow, it could be a sign of trouble. Fortunately, you can usually fix the problem by treating the root cause.

A lack of nutrients in the soil is one of the most common causes for pepper leaves yellowing. This may be due to poor soil health practices such as not replenishing the organic matter with each crop or nutrient leaching from heavy rains or overwatering.

Nitrogen deficiency often starts with older or lower leaves and moves up the plant as it worsens. It’s a good idea to use a balanced fertilizer to help combat this.

Yellowing Pepper Leaves: Causes and Cures for a Healthy Harvest

Another reason your pepper plant might be turning yellow is because the soil pH is too high (more alkaline). This makes it difficult for the plant to absorb a range of essential nutrients from the soil. Sending away for a professional soil test will let you know the exact nutrient and pH levels in your soil and give you the information you need to amend it.

A low level of magnesium can also cause pepper leaves to turn yellow. This is different from nitrogen deficiency in that the whole leaf turns yellow instead of just the margins or veins. You can remedy this by adding dolomitic lime to the soil around your plant.

Pests are another common cause for yellow pepper leaves. Pests like mites and aphids steal water and nutrients from the plant, causing yellowing. You can treat these pests with neem oil or insecticidal soap to stop them from feeding on your plant and causing the yellowing.