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Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for white cottony fluff.
- Look for dark circular lesions on the upper leaf surface.
- Check if the plant is crowded by other shrubs.
Likely causes
Tea scale
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see small white cottony patches on the undersides of leaves and yellow splotches on the top side. These insects suck sap and weaken the foliage.
What to do: Apply a horticultural oil spray to the undersides of the leaves. Repeat the treatment every 7 to 14 days until the scale is gone.
Leaf spot fungus
Most likelyHow to tell: These appear as dark, circular lesions that may have a lighter center. They often show up after periods of high humidity or overhead watering.
What to do: Remove and dispose of all infected leaves to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid wetting the foliage when you water.
Find out what's wrong with your sasanqua camellia
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
Worry if the spots are spreading rapidly across the entire plant or causing significant leaf drop. A few spots on older interior leaves are normal as the plant ages.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the area around your camellia clean of fallen debris and ensure it has plenty of space for air to move through the branches.
Sasanqua camellia: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your sasanqua camellia 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.
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Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will these spots kill my camellia?
- Most spot issues are manageable if caught early. If left untreated for a long time, heavy scale infestations can severely weaken the plant.
- Can I just wash the spots off?
- Washing can help remove some scale, but it will not cure a fungal infection. Use a proper treatment to address the root cause.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Sasanqua camellia
- Why are my Sasanqua camellia leaves turning yellow?
- What are these white patches on my Sasanqua camellia?
- Why is my Sasanqua camellia not blooming?
- Why are my Sasanqua camellia leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Sasanqua camellia drooping?
- Why is my Sasanqua camellia dropping leaves?
- Why is my Sasanqua camellia showing signs of root rot?
- Why is my Sasanqua camellia growing so leggy?
Back to the Sasanqua camellia 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.