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Corn Cockle · Agrostemma githago

Why are there spots on my Corn Cockle leaves?

Spots on your Corn Cockle usually point to a fungal issue caused by high humidity or poor air circulation. Check your plant for a white, dusty coating to confirm if it is powdery mildew.

spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the leaves for a white, powdery coating.
  2. Check if the leaves are staying wet for long periods after rain.
  3. Look for signs of overcrowding that block airflow.

Likely causes

  1. Powdery Mildew

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see a white, floury substance covering the leaves and stems. It often starts as small patches before spreading across the foliage.

    What to do: Remove the most heavily infected leaves to stop the spread. Spray the remaining foliage with a mixture of one tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water once a week.

  2. Leaf Spot Disease

    Possible

    How to tell: This shows up as dark, circular, or irregular lesions on the leaves. It is less common for this plant and usually happens when foliage stays wet for too long.

    What to do: Water only at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry. Increase airflow around your plants by spacing them further apart in the garden.

Find out what's wrong with your corn cockle

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

If the spots cover more than half of the leaves and the plant looks stunted, it is time to intervene. A few small spots are normal in humid weather.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plants in full sun and ensure they have plenty of space for air to move between them.

Keep your corn cockle healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Will these spots kill my plant?
Usually no, but they can weaken it if left untreated. Keep the plant healthy with good light and it should recover.
Should I cut off all the spotted leaves?
Only remove leaves that are heavily damaged. If you remove too many, the plant will struggle to produce energy.

More problems with Corn Cockle

Back to the Corn Cockle guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.