Is powdery mildew harmful to me?

It is generally not harmful to humans, but it ruins the quality of the leaves. It is best to avoid eating leaves that are heavily coated in fungus.

Should I use a fungicide?

You can use a mild organic fungicide, but fixing the airflow and watering habits is more effective in the long run.

Malabar spinach: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Touch the spots to see if they rub off like powder.
Check if your plant has enough space for air to move around it.
Look at your watering method to see if you are splashing the leaves.

Likely causes

Powdery Mildew
Most likely
How to tell: You will see a white, flour like coating on the surface of the leaves. It often starts in patches and can spread to cover the whole leaf.
What to do: Remove the most affected leaves to stop the spread. Improve air circulation by moving the plant to a breezier spot and avoid overhead watering.
Water Spots
Possible
How to tell: These look like crusty, white rings or spots left behind after water evaporates. They do not look like fuzzy powder.
What to do: Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. Use filtered or distilled water if your tap water is very hard.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your malabar spinach

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

Powdery mildew is serious because it prevents the plant from photosynthesizing. If the spots cover more than half the plant, it will struggle to recover.

Stopping it coming back

Water at the base of the plant instead of over the leaves. Ensure your plant has plenty of room and is not crowded by other pots.

Malabar spinach: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your malabar spinach 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 me?: It is generally not harmful to humans, but it ruins the quality of the leaves. It is best to avoid eating leaves that are heavily coated in fungus.
Should I use a fungicide?: You can use a mild organic fungicide, but fixing the airflow and watering habits is more effective in the long run.

Guides to these causes

Powdery Mildew

What are these white spots on my Malabar spinach?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your malabar spinach?