Why do pepper flowers drop before fruiting?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Many container gardeners experience pepper flower drop. I lost a whole jalapeño plant when I discovered what caused it to occur. Pepper flower drop occurs when plants shed flowers due to stresses related to growing conditions, before fruiting. The primary reasons for flower drop are environmental temperature fluctuations, inadequate moisture levels, and humidity issues.
Temperature Stress
- Heat stress: Flowers drop above 90°F (32°C)
- Solution: Provide afternoon shade with 30% shade cloth
- Cold stress: Occurs below 60°F (15°C)
- Solution: Move pots indoors or use cloches at night
Water Imbalance
- Inconsistent watering: Causes root stress and hormone disruption
- Solution: Water when top 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) dry
- Humidity issues: Low humidity prevents pollen adhesion
- Solution: Mist plants mornings or use humidity trays
Pollination Failure
- Lack of pollinators: Common in indoor/urban settings
- Solution: Hand-pollinate using soft brush at 10 AM
- High winds: Disrupts pollen transfer outdoors
- Solution: Shield plants or relocate to sheltered area
Be on the lookout for early telltale signs, such as the yellow flower stems or the petals of their flowers falling off. Healthy blossom spikes always remain firmly in place until they are pollinated. I check on my plants daily while they are in flower. If you tap your flowering bud lightly, it should not fall off. Addressing problems early can prevent the whole flowering drop.
Nutrient imbalances can cause flower loss. Fertilizers that are too high in nitrogen tend to promote more leaves than flowers. When flowering, use low nitrogen fertilizers. Once buds appear, I use fertilizer formulated for tomatoes. Adding calcium supplements can help prevent flowers from falling off.
Recovery requires patience. Maintain consistent care for 7-10 days after corrections. New blossoms replace dropped ones. My plants rebounded fully once the conditions stabilized. Subsequent harvests often compensate for initial losses.
Select varieties with climate resilience to avoid future issues. The 'Jalafuego' jalapeños have better heat tolerance than most jalapeños I've grown, and bell peppers like 'King Arthur' can better tolerate swings in humidity. When I transitioned from standard varieties to these types, I was able to reduce flower drop by 70%.
Read the full article: Ultimate Guide to Growing Peppers in Pots
