Crinkled Pepper Leaves: Virus, Insects, or Environmental Stress?

Rippled, crinkled leaves on peppers after 20 good years suggest a new problem: virus (transmitted by aphids), herbicide drift, or severe nutrient imbalance.

Diagnostic Steps

1. Check leaf undersides for aphids, mites.
2. Rule out recent herbicide use nearby.
3. Test soil pH and nutrients.
4. Rotate: don't plant peppers, tomatoes, eggplant in that bed this year.

If It Recurs

Submit symptomatic leaves and roots to extension lab. Buy resistant varieties ('Vanguard', 'Paladin').