Chilli Plant Leaves Turn Brown

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Chilli Plant Brown Leaf Tips: Causes and Fixes

Brown or burnt tips on chilli leaves are a common sign of stress. They often appear when the roots canโ€™t keep up with rapid growth or when environmental and nutrient imbalances occur. Understanding these triggers helps prevent leaf burn and maintain lush, productive plants.

Main Causes of Brown Leaf Tips

  • Over-fertilising: Too much nutrient concentration burns root hairs, leading to scorched leaf edges.
  • Under-watering or irregular watering: Dry cycles followed by heavy soaking cause salt build-up near the root zone.
  • Low humidity and hot winds: Rapid evaporation dehydrates leaves faster than roots can supply moisture.
  • Nutrient imbalance: Deficiencies in calcium, magnesium, or potassium weaken cell walls and leaf tips first.
  • Soil pH drift: Acidic or alkaline soil locks up essential minerals even when fertiliser is applied correctly.

Most brown-tip cases come from a mix of inconsistent watering and strong feeds during hot periods. The good news? Itโ€™s reversible with small changes to care and nutrient balance.

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How to Fix Brown Leaf Tips on Chilli Plants

๐ŸŒฟ Step 1 โ€” Flush and Rehydrate the Soil

  • Water deeply for several minutes to flush out accumulated salts.
  • Allow excess water to drain completely to prevent root rot.
  • Resume regular watering once the top layer begins to dry โ€” consistent moisture prevents further tip burn.

๐ŸŒฑ Step 2 โ€” Feed with a Balanced Nutrient Mix

  • Use a half-strength dose of CompleteGrow NPK 20-20-20 to restore nitrogen and phosphorus for new leaf tissue.
  • After 1โ€“2 weeks, move to Advanced 4-18-38 + CaMg to add calcium and magnesium โ€” the minerals most responsible for preventing leaf-edge burn.
  • Feed every 7โ€“10 days with clean water between applications.

โ˜€๏ธ Step 3 โ€” Improve Growing Conditions

  • Maintain steady humidity by misting or grouping plants.
  • Provide partial shade during heatwaves to reduce transpiration stress.
  • Keep soil slightly moist, never soggy, and mulch lightly to moderate temperature swings.

Once corrected, damaged leaves wonโ€™t recover, but new growth should appear green and firm within 10โ€“14 days โ€” a clear sign your plantโ€™s nutrient balance is restored.

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Preventing Brown Leaf Tips on Chillies

  • Feed regularly with water-soluble fertiliser instead of heavy, infrequent doses.
  • Flush soil monthly to remove salts, especially when using tap water.
  • Maintain pH 6.0โ€“6.8 to keep nutrients available.
  • Protect from dry, hot winds โ€” shade cloth helps maintain leaf moisture.
  • Alternate between 20-20-20 and 4-18-38 + CaMg to balance growth and fruiting.

FAQs โ€” Brown Leaf Tips on Chilli Plants

  • Why are my chilli leaves turning brown at the tips? Usually from inconsistent watering, salt build-up, or calcium deficiency.
  • Can heat cause brown leaf edges? Yes โ€” intense sunlight and low humidity quickly dry leaf margins.
  • Should I cut off brown leaves? Only if theyโ€™re more than half damaged. Healthy tissue continues photosynthesis.
  • Does over-fertilising cause it? Definitely. Too-strong feeds burn fine root hairs โ€” always dilute liquid fertilisers.
  • How can I stop it from returning? Keep a consistent watering schedule, alternate fertilisers, and feed at cooler times of day.

By maintaining steady moisture, correct pH, and balanced feeding with CompleteGrowโ€™s premium NPK fertilisers, chilli plants stay vigorous โ€” with glossy green foliage and intense, high-yielding fruit.

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