Should I throw away the infected leaves?

Yes, dispose of them in the trash rather than the compost pile to prevent the fungus from spreading.

Does this mean my plant is dying?

Not necessarily. If you catch it early and improve the conditions, your Smooth hawksbeard can recover fully.

Smooth hawksbeard: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the white spots can be wiped off with your finger.
Observe if the spots are appearing after a period of high humidity.
Ensure the plant is not crowded by other vegetation.

Likely causes

Powdery Mildew
Most likely
How to tell: You will see a white, flour like coating on the surface of the leaves. It may eventually cause the leaves to yellow and wither.
What to do: Remove the most heavily infected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid overhead watering.
High Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The spots appear during periods of high humidity or damp, stagnant air. The plant may look generally unhappy in these conditions.
What to do: Ensure the plant is in a location with plenty of sunlight and breeze. If growing in a container, move it to a drier, more open space.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your smooth hawksbeard

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

Worry if the fungus covers more than half of the foliage. If the leaves turn brown and crispy after the white spots appear, the plant is struggling to photosynthesize.

Stopping it coming back

Water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves. Give the plant plenty of space to ensure air moves freely around the foliage.

Smooth hawksbeard: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your smooth hawksbeard 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

Should I throw away the infected leaves?: Yes, dispose of them in the trash rather than the compost pile to prevent the fungus from spreading.
Does this mean my plant is dying?: Not necessarily. If you catch it early and improve the conditions, your Smooth hawksbeard can recover fully.

Guides to these causes

Powdery Mildew

Why are there white spots on my Smooth hawksbeard leaves?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your smooth hawksbeard?