Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the leaves for any signs of pests hiding in the crevices.
- Check if the soil is staying wet for too long after watering.
- Look at the placement of the plant to see if it gets direct sun.
Likely causes
Fungal Leaf Spot
PossibleHow to tell: You will see small brown or black circular spots that may have a yellow halo. These often appear after the leaves have stayed wet for too long.
What to do: Trim off the affected leaves with clean scissors to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant and ensure you only water the soil, not the foliage.
Sunburn
PossibleHow to tell: These spots look like bleached or scorched patches on the leaves that were directly facing the sun. They are usually dry and brittle to the touch.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with bright, indirect light. Avoid placing it in direct afternoon sun, which is too harsh for its leaves.
Find out what's wrong with your kaffir lily
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
Be concerned if the spots are spreading rapidly across the entire plant. A single small spot on an older leaf is usually just a sign of aging.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the leaves dry when you water and ensure the plant has plenty of space for air to move around it.
Keep your kaffir lily 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 use a fungicide on my Clivia?
- You can, but it is better to fix the environment first. Removing the damaged leaves and improving airflow usually solves the problem.
- Are these spots contagious to my other plants?
- If the spots are fungal, they can spread through water droplets. Keep the affected plant away from your others until it recovers.
More problems with Kaffir Lily
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.