Can I still eat chervil with powdery mildew?

It is best to avoid eating leaves that have visible fungal growth. If only a few leaves are affected, remove them and wash the healthy ones thoroughly.

Does humidity cause these spots?

Yes, high humidity combined with poor airflow is the perfect environment for mildew. Keep your plant in a spot with a gentle breeze.

Chervil: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Examine the leaves for a powdery texture.
Check if the plant is crowded by other pots.
Look for signs of moisture sitting on the leaves.

Likely causes

Powdery mildew
Most likely
How to tell: You will see a white, dusty coating that looks like flour on the surface of the leaves. It often starts on older leaves and spreads quickly if left alone.
What to do: Prune away the most heavily affected leaves to improve airflow. Apply a mixture of one tablespoon of baking soda to a gallon of water, or use a neem oil spray, once every 7 days until the spots disappear.
Water splashing
Possible
How to tell: These spots are usually brown or tan rather than white and appear after you water the plant from above. They are caused by soil-borne pathogens splashing onto the foliage.
What to do: Always water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry. If you must water from above, do it early in the morning so the sun can dry the foliage quickly.

Find out what's wrong with your chervil

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.

When to worry

If the white spots cover more than half the plant, it will likely stop growing and taste bitter. It is time to harvest what you can and start fresh.

Stopping it coming back

Ensure your chervil has plenty of space between plants and keep the leaves dry during watering.

Keep your chervil 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I still eat chervil with powdery mildew?: It is best to avoid eating leaves that have visible fungal growth. If only a few leaves are affected, remove them and wash the healthy ones thoroughly.
Does humidity cause these spots?: Yes, high humidity combined with poor airflow is the perfect environment for mildew. Keep your plant in a spot with a gentle breeze.

Why does my chervil have white spots on its leaves?