What Causes Curling of Leaves of Hot Pepper Plants?

Several different insects can cause the curling of hot pepper plant leaves.

The hot pepper plant grows all over the world. Under healthy conditions, pepper plants are somewhat easy to grow and can thrive very well. Growing healthy pepper plants successfully can depend upon what the plants are and are not exposed to in the environment.

Viruses

Certain viruses can cause the leaves of pepper plants to curl, including the Potato virus and the Tobacco Etch virus. Once a virus has struck pepper plants, not much can be done to cure them. Following strict planting guidelines is the only way to prevent the onset of a virus in hot pepper plants.

Fungi

Fungal diseases can cause hot pepper plant leaves to curl up and wilt away. Fungi may begin in the soil, be seed borne or begin directly on the plant. The most common fungi diseases that affect hot pepper plants are Fusarium wilt, anthracnose and Southern blight. The only way of preventing fungi damage from continuing is by pulling up all affected plants and burning that planting area.

Insects

Insects are one of the most common causes of leaf curling in pepper plants. Many types of insects cause this type of damage, including aphids, nematodes, mites and crickets. Methods for controlling these pests vary depending upon the insect.

References

• FAO: Pests and Diseases of Hot Pepper