Help with a suffering house plant.

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Williah Woodside, NY Aug 15, 2014

Hello,

I have a piri piri pepper plant that had been growing nicely and happily for over a year.

Suddenly 2 weeks ago the very-green leaves started shriveling and becoming brittle. I kept it with plenty of water and sunlight, just as I had before.

I think it may be a change in environment to very cold. I was working on my bedroom and slept in the living room for a week with ac. I moved it to the kitchen which is warmer. I don't know for sure it's the cold, though. I've included a picture.

Any help in finding out what's wrong AND saving the plant is greatly appreciated.

Will.

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Aug 15, 2014

Not sure what is going on, but here is one guess.
When the weather is warm (even inside the house) the plant will use more water.
When the weather is cool (like when you are running the AC a lot) the plant MIGHT use less water (Cooler) or it might use more (AC makes the air drier).

So either way, your regular watering practice might not have been right for it. It sure could have been the cold, too. Piri piri pepper (like most peppers) is a tropical plant, well suited to a house without AC, perhaps harmed by the cooler temps.

As for what to do, now.
Keep it barely moist, or let it go just a little dry (don't overdo it) because it is not going to use much water, and keeping it too wet will encourage root rot.
Keep it warm.
See if it recovers. If it does, the new growth will probably come from lower down on the plant.
Leave the old leaves and twigs until you are sure you know where the recovery is coming from, then you can cut off the parts that have died.

Other than that, starting a few new plants might really be the best.

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Williah Woodside, NY Aug 15, 2014

Thanks. I've moved it to a warmer area, and will keep it "drier" than normal.
Let's see.

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