Troubleshooting
'Padrón' Pepper problems — and how to fix them
'Padrón' Pepper (Capsicum annuum 'Padrón') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Flower drop
Caused by temperatures below 15°C or above 32°C, drought stress, or erratic watering. Maintain steady moisture and warmth during flowering.
Aphids
Cluster on shoot tips and undersides of leaves, spreading virus. Blast off with water, encourage ladybirds, or use insecticidal soap.
Pods turning hot
Padrón heat rises sharply as pods mature and weather gets hot and dry. Pick young and keep plants well watered to keep most pods mild.
Blossom-end rot
Sunken brown patches at the pod tip from uneven watering limiting calcium uptake — not a calcium deficiency in soil. Water consistently and mulch.
Prevent 'padrón' pepper problems before they start
Most 'padrón' pepper issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for 'padrón' pepper in general rather than its problems? Read the full 'padrón' pepper care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
'Padrón' Pepper problems — FAQ
Why is my 'padrón' pepper flower drop?
Caused by temperatures below 15°C or above 32°C, drought stress, or erratic watering. Maintain steady moisture and warmth during flowering.
Why is my 'padrón' pepper aphids?
Cluster on shoot tips and undersides of leaves, spreading virus. Blast off with water, encourage ladybirds, or use insecticidal soap.
Why is my 'padrón' pepper pods turning hot?
Padrón heat rises sharply as pods mature and weather gets hot and dry. Pick young and keep plants well watered to keep most pods mild.
Why is my 'padrón' pepper blossom-end rot?
Sunken brown patches at the pod tip from uneven watering limiting calcium uptake — not a calcium deficiency in soil. Water consistently and mulch.