Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check if the spots rub off like dust.
- Look for winding white trails inside the leaf tissue.
- Inspect the plant for signs of poor airflow.
Likely causes
Powdery Mildew
Most likelyHow to tell: You see a white, powdery coating on the surface of the leaves.
What to do: Improve air circulation around the plant by thinning out crowded stems. You can spray the leaves with a mixture of one tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water.
Columbine Leaf Miner
PossibleHow to tell: Winding white tunnels or squiggly lines appear inside the leaf tissue.
What to do: Pick off and destroy the affected leaves immediately to stop the larvae from spreading. Avoid using broad spectrum insecticides that kill beneficial insects.
Find out what's wrong with your western columbine
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
Small spots are manageable, but if the entire plant is covered in mildew or tunnels, it will struggle to photosynthesize. Take action as soon as you see the first signs.
Stopping it coming back
Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep the foliage dry.
Western columbine: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your western columbine and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will leaf miners kill my plant?
- They rarely kill the plant, but they make it look unsightly and can weaken it over time. Regular removal of infested leaves keeps them in check.
- Is powdery mildew harmful to pets?
- Powdery mildew is a fungus and is generally not toxic, but it is best to keep pets away from sick plants.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Western columbine
- Why are there white lines on my Western columbine leaves?
- Why are my Western columbine leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Western columbine drooping?
- Why are my Western columbine leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Western columbine dropping leaves?
- Why is my Western columbine not flowering?
- Why is my Western columbine wilting and rotting?
- Why is my Western columbine growing so tall and thin?
- Why are my Western columbine leaves curling?
Back to the Western columbine guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.