Is powdery mildew harmful to eat?

It is best to avoid eating leaves covered in mildew. Wash any unaffected leaves thoroughly before using them in your kitchen.

Does sun help with white spots?

Yes, direct sunlight helps dry out the leaves and makes the environment less hospitable for fungus. Ensure your tarragon gets full sun.

Tarragon: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Rub the white spots to see if they wipe off easily.
Check if the plant is crowded by other pots.
Observe the humidity levels in your growing area.

Likely causes

Powdery mildew
Most likely
How to tell: A white, dusty coating appears on the surface of the leaves. It may look like someone sprinkled flour on the foliage.
What to do: Prune away the most heavily affected leaves to improve air circulation. Spray the remaining foliage with a mixture of one tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water.
High humidity
Possible
How to tell: The spots appear after a period of damp, muggy weather. The plant looks generally unhappy and lacks vigor.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with better sun exposure and more breeze. Avoid overhead watering to keep the leaves dry.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your tarragon

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

It is serious if the mildew covers the entire plant and causes the leaves to curl or drop. Minor spots are manageable with pruning.

Stopping it coming back

Space your plants out to ensure good airflow and always water at the base to keep the leaves dry.

Tarragon: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your tarragon 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.

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

Questions people ask

Is powdery mildew harmful to eat?: It is best to avoid eating leaves covered in mildew. Wash any unaffected leaves thoroughly before using them in your kitchen.
Does sun help with white spots?: Yes, direct sunlight helps dry out the leaves and makes the environment less hospitable for fungus. Ensure your tarragon gets full sun.

Guides to these causes

Powdery Mildew

Why are there white dusty spots on my tarragon leaves?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your tarragon?