Yellow leaves on your chili plants are a major red flag that something is off. You’ll want to act fast here—if you wait too long, your plant won’t just lose its leaves; it’ll start dropping its flowers and unripe peppers, too.
Nutrient Deficiencies
One of the most common reasons leaves turn yellow and eventually fall off is a lack of nutrients. Chilis are “heavy feeders,” meaning they have a huge appetite for organic nutrients, especially when they are blooming and growing fruit. To keep them happy, I recommend using a liquid vegetable fertilizer once a week in your watering can throughout the growing season.
Environmental Stress and Shock
If you move your seedlings from a cozy indoor spot straight into the garden without a “get-to-know-you” phase, they’re going to react with yellow leaves. This is usually caused by sunburn, which damages the leaves so badly that the plant just gives up on them and drops them.
To avoid this, make sure to “harden off” your young plants. Put them in a semi-shaded spot for a few days so they can build up a tolerance to the sun. You might also see some yellowing right after transplanting. The plants are busy putting all their energy into growing new roots and getting settled, so don’t panic—they’ll usually bounce back with lush green leaves once they’re established.
Chlorosis (Iron Deficiency)
If your plant looks perky and isn’t wilting, but the leaves have lost their vibrant green color, you’re likely looking at an iron deficiency, also known as chlorosis. This is a pretty easy fix: just give your chilis a fertilizer with a slightly higher iron content.
If you want to get ahead of chlorosis naturally, try using a stinging nettle tea (or “jauche”) instead of store-bought fertilizer. Nettles are packed with iron and nitrates. Since these nutrients are already dissolved in the liquid, the plants can soak them up instantly. Just be patient—it takes a little time for that deep green color to return.
Leaf Drop During Winter
Did you know you can overwinter your chilis as houseplants? It’s a great way to get a head start on next year. However, they need a spot that isn’t too hot and gets plenty of light. If the room is too warm or the corner is too dark, the leaves will turn yellow and drop right off.