Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Look for white cottony masses on stems.
- Check for dark, sunken spots on leaves.
- Ensure the plant has good air circulation.
Likely causes
Anthracnose
Most likelyHow to tell: Dark, sunken spots appear on the leaves or fruit, often spreading in humid conditions.
What to do: Remove and destroy any infected leaves to stop the spread. Apply a copper fungicide according to the label instructions to protect the remaining foliage.
Mealybugs
Most likelyHow to tell: Small white, cottony clusters appear on the stems or undersides of leaves, often causing yellow or brown spots.
What to do: Wipe the bugs off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, spray the plant with neem oil every 7 to 10 days.
Find out what's wrong with your soursop
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
When to worry
Worry if the spots are spreading rapidly across the entire plant. Small, isolated spots are usually manageable with quick treatment.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the leaves dry when watering and ensure the plant has plenty of space for airflow.
Keep your soursop 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.
Questions people ask
- Are these spots harmful to the fruit?
- Yes, anthracnose can ruin the fruit. Treat the plant early to ensure your harvest stays healthy.
- Can I use soap to kill the bugs?
- Yes, a mild insecticidal soap works well for mealybugs. Spray it directly on the pests and repeat as needed.
More problems with Soursop
- Why are my soursop leaves turning yellow?
- How do I fix root rot on my soursop?
- Why is my soursop tree drooping?
- Why is my soursop losing its leaves?
- Why are there bugs on my Soursop tree?
- Why are my soursop leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Soursop tree not producing flowers?
- Why is my Soursop tree growing tall and thin?
- Why are my soursop leaves curling?
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.