Put the pot in a big bucket or somehow close up the drain hole. Then run the bucket or bunged-up pot full of standing water. Your plant will literally stand up and smile at you!

When soil dries it can become hydrophobic and you have to soak it in standing water so it will suck up what it is supposed to be holding.

What soil are you using?

Dennis

I have some 6" deep drip pans that should help. I'll start with those and fill them up. Thanks for the idea.

have you verified that the soil is actually dry? poke a finger in there before watering. sometimes no matter how wet they are, my plants will still droop if it's hot enough outside.

but sometimes what happens is the dirt shrinks as it dries, basically becoming a nugget of dry dirt, with enough space around it for water to just run down the sides and out the bottom, not helping the situation. so the trick is to water just a little bit, wait 5 minutes for the top layer to expand a bit and close the gap, then water thoroughly.

also, at least you're getting some peppers out of the deal, so it's not ALL bad news.