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Variegated dogwood · Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'

Why does my variegated dogwood have white spots?

A white, powdery coating on your leaves is almost always powdery mildew. This fungus thrives when the air is humid and the nights are warm. Check the top surfaces of your leaves for this dusty appearance.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Rub the white spots to see if they wipe off like dust.
  2. Check if the plant is crowded by other shrubs.
  3. Look at the bottom of the plant to see if lower leaves are affected first.

Likely causes

  1. Powdery mildew

    Most likely

    How to tell: Leaves look like they have been dusted with flour or talcum powder. In severe cases, the leaves may curl or turn yellow.

    What to do: Improve air circulation by pruning crowded branches. Apply a fungicide labeled for powdery mildew or a mixture of one tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water.

  2. Leaf spot disease

    Possible

    How to tell: Small brown or black spots appear on the leaves, sometimes with a yellow halo. These are caused by fungal spores splashing up from the soil.

    What to do: Remove and destroy any infected leaves that fall to the ground. Water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent spores from splashing.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your variegated dogwood

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

Powdery mildew is mostly an aesthetic issue late in the season and rarely kills the plant. If it appears in early summer, treat it to prevent the fungus from spreading to new growth.

Stopping it coming back

Water your dogwood at the soil level rather than overhead. Plant in a spot with good airflow to keep the leaves dry.

Variegated dogwood: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your variegated dogwood 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

Should I cut off all the spotted leaves?
You can remove heavily infected leaves to improve the look of the plant. Do not compost them, as the spores can survive.
Will the white spots go away on their own?
They often fade as the weather cools in autumn. However, treating the plant helps keep it looking nice for the rest of the season.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Variegated dogwood

Back to the Variegated dogwood 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.