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Chinese trumpet vine · Campsis grandiflora

What are these spots on my Chinese trumpet vine leaves?

Spots on your leaves are often a sign of fungal issues caused by humidity or poor airflow. The most common culprit is powdery mildew, which looks like a dusting of flour.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Check if the spots wipe off easily like dust.
  2. Look at the density of the foliage to see if air can move through.
  3. Check if you have been watering the leaves directly.

Likely causes

  1. Powdery Mildew

    Most likely

    How to tell: White, dusty patches appear on the surface of the leaves.

    What to do: Improve air circulation by thinning out crowded branches. Apply a fungicide or a mixture of water and baking soda to the leaves.

  2. Leaf Spot Disease

    Possible

    How to tell: Dark brown or black spots with yellow halos appear on the foliage.

    What to do: Remove and destroy all infected leaves immediately. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your chinese trumpet vine

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 spots cover more than half the leaf surface, the plant will struggle to photosynthesize.

Stopping it coming back

Water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves and prune to maintain good airflow.

Chinese trumpet vine: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your chinese trumpet vine 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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Questions people ask

Is powdery mildew harmful?
It is mostly cosmetic but can weaken the plant if left untreated for a long time.
Should I cut off spotted leaves?
Yes, removing infected leaves helps stop the spread of fungal spores to healthy parts of the vine.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Chinese trumpet vine

Back to the Chinese trumpet vine 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.