Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves for fuzzy growth or insects.
- Look for small jumping beetles around the base of the plant.
- Check if the leaves are staying wet for too long after watering.
Likely causes
Flea beetles
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see tiny shot holes all over the foliage. These small beetles jump away quickly when you disturb the plant.
What to do: Cover your plants with floating row covers to keep the beetles off. You can also spray the leaves with neem oil every 7 days until the damage stops.
Downy mildew
Most likelyHow to tell: This appears as yellow patches on the top of the leaves with fuzzy growth underneath. It happens when air circulation is poor.
What to do: Thin out your plants to improve airflow between them. Remove the infected leaves immediately and avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry.
Find out what's wrong with your land cress
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 holes or spots cover more than half of the leaf surface, the plant will struggle to grow. Minor cosmetic spots are common in outdoor gardens.
Stopping it coming back
Space your plants at least 6 to 8 inches apart to ensure good air movement. Keep the garden bed free of weeds that might harbor pests.
Keep your land cress 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
- Can I still eat the leaves if they have spots?
- If the spots are from flea beetles, you can wash the leaves and eat them if the damage is minor. If you see signs of downy mildew, it is best to discard those leaves.
- Do I need to use chemicals to stop the spots?
- No, physical barriers like row covers are usually enough to stop flea beetles. Improving airflow is the best way to handle fungal spots without sprays.
More problems with Land Cress
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.