Pepper Plants Not Growing? Their pepper plants are not growing as expected. We recommend that you find out about the causes to ensure that you take preventive measures this season. Slow or stunted growth can happen to any pepper, and there are ways to fix it. The first few tips in this article refer to younger plants, while later tips apply to more mature plants of pepper. We have put together our top tips on why your pepper plants should not grow.
We participate in various affiliate programs, which means that some of the links contained in this article may earn us a commission if you make a purchase through links on this website. In addition to the possible causes, we also cover other symptoms that you may see in addition to slow or stopped plant growth. All these methods are part of the basic pepper plant care. Your routine may just need an adjustment and your pepper plants will start to grow again.
Pepper Plant Spacing 1. Give Young Peppers Plenty Of Light
Peppers come from warm climates with lots of sunshine. Young plants are prone to poor growth if they get too little light. We recommend giving young peppers 14-16 hours of light per day. For best results and faster growth, use growth lights for indoor seedlings. Sunny windows are not ideal for young peppers.
Symptoms of poor lighting: Leggy plants (tall and lanky) Thin stems Slowed growth rate
Without sufficient energy, your pepper plants grow more slowly. Light is the energy source for your plant and this energy is used to form new leaves and branches. If you are using surface mounted lights, make sure they are strong enough for your peppers.
2. Fertilize Regularly, But Not Too Much
As soon as the peppers sprout, they start to consume nutrients. They don’t need that much at first, but the bigger they get, the more they consume.
The type and quantity of fertilizer used vary depending on the stage of growth. For young plants that are 4 weeks or younger, we recommend a nitrogen-rich fertilizer with a thickness of 1 / 2.
This encourages the plant to stop growing new leaves and concentrate on the production of peppers. When the plant begins to produce flowers or fruits, we recommend switching to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to reduce nitrogen. You can also use nutrient-rich potting soil for fertilization. See below for our recommended soil fertilizer.
Other symptoms of nutrient issues: Yellowing leaves Leaves wilting or falling off Flowers dropping
If your paprika plants do not grow, you should consider and adjust your fertilizer dosage if necessary. If you fertilize consistently or have healthy soil, look for other possible causes.
3. Don’t Over-Water
Underwater isn’t great either, but it could just be the death of plants. Too much water can cause a host of problems, one of which is stunted growth of pepper plants. We sing this mantra from time to time, especially for new pepper growers. Pepper is best watered well, but never too much. Dousing is an unforgivable form of love for your pepper plants.
Other signs of over-watering: Curling leaves Leaf drop Flowers falling off Root rot Poor fruit development
As you can see, excessive watering is not good for peppers. Get watering under control and learn when your peppers are thirsty.
4. Transplant Shock
Transplantation is a necessary step in the cultivation of peppercorns. By planting seedlings in a large pot, they grow in just a few days. Peppers come in a larger pot because the root system needs time to adapt to the new environment.
We recommend avoiding fertilization for one week after transplantation. Sun shock and similar problems can occur when peppers are transplanted outdoors for the first time. Direct sunlight is more intense than light, and pepper plants need to harden quickly to avoid damage. Be patient and let the plant recover without too much disturbance.
Other signs of transplant shock: Leaf drop Curling or abnormal leaves forming Sun scald (if moving to the outdoors)
The plants usually integrate within about a week and then pick up speed as they grow. One option is to use a transplant shock fertilizer at the time of transplantation. This stimulates new root growth and helps the pepper plant to acclimatise. It is important to be patient when the transplanted plant recovers.
5. Don’t Compress Soil Too Much
The roots of your pepper plants should grow in an aerated, porous medium. If you pack too tightly your potting mix, the roots will struggle to expand and absorb water. Draining water from the ground can also be difficult.
For potted plants, it is recommended to pack the soil, but never too tight. As a result, the roots are compressed and not enough oxygen arrives. Fill a new pot with soil and stop compressing when you start feeling resistance. If you compress a little too much, the soil breaks down when you water for the first time.
Other signs of compacted soil: Root rot Leaves dying Oversaturated soil Poor drainage
Also add compost and other organic material to the soil to promote good bacteria. Once the soil is compacted, loosen it with a garden fork. For raised beds and garden plots, we recommend loosening up by not working the soil even once a year for a few weeks before planting.
6. Transplant To A Larger Pot
One of the most obvious causes of pepper plants not growing is an undersized container. Many pepper varieties can grow up to 8 feet tall.
If possible, have enough floor and space. We recommend growing peppers in at least 3 gallons of soil. Your final pot size should be 5 gallons or larger to achieve maximum yield.
Root bound plants
Timing is important when transplanting pepper plants outdoors. Seedlings in small seed shells should be enlarged to 3-4 pots within 2-3 weeks of sprouting. After another 4-6 weeks they will be ready to move into large containers outdoors.
7. Pull Weeds Regularly
This may seem obvious, but weeds inhibit the ability of pepper plants to grow. Weeds are a breeding ground for unwanted pests. They are annoying and it is important to avoid that your paprika competes with unwanted plants. Pull weeds when it is small to prevent larger nutrients from being stolen from the root system.
When planting mulch, cover the bottom of your peppers, such as chopped straw or a black tarpaulin. This prevents weeds from growing at all.
Other signs of excessive weeds:
For larger garden plots we recommend the use of a weeder. If the weed is too big for your pepper plants, you may have a problem.
8. Check For Pests
Pests can be a nightmare for any garden plant. Paprika is particularly susceptible to aphids, spiders, mites, thriphopper, slugs, caterpillars and many others. When pepper plants are attacked, they can slow down or even stop growing. However, there are some telltale signs of insect damage.
Other signs of pest damage: Curled leaves Holes in leaves or peppers
If you have aphids, your plants may try to grow, but not because the new leaves are destroyed. Aphids are known to feed on young leaves.
9. Disease
Pepper plants are susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests. Most cause no visible signs of infection or distress. They can spread from one plant to many by slumbering in the soil, and the seeds can infect future crops. These diseases mean that your paprika plants should be thrown away.
Avoid diseases and have a sanitary garden. Never water the tip of your plant or the base of the main trunk. We recommend cutting back the pepper sprigs from the bottom and leaving the leaves in the ground.
Many diseases are transmitted by pests, so be sure to keep your pests under control by pruning and mulching. Read our article about diseases and problems of pepper plants.
10. Plants Have Reached Mature Size
The last possibility is that your pepper plants have reached their ripe size. Some pepper varieties do not grow larger than 1 “and are container size. Others become massive and produce thousands of pods.
Set your expectations for plant size at the beginning of the growing season. In our experience, C. chinense and C. baccatum tend to grow large, while C. annuum is small to medium in size.
We have investigated many possible reasons why a pepper plant does not grow or does not grow too quickly. With the right impulse and the right hope, your plant can get back on track and grow healthy again.
