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Song of India · Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia

Why are there spots on my Song of India leaves?

It is less common for this plant to develop spots, which usually points to fungal issues from high humidity or poor air circulation. Inspect the leaves closely to see if the spots are brown, yellow, or have a fuzzy texture.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Look for tiny pests like spider mites under the leaves.
  2. Check if you have been splashing water on the foliage.
  3. Examine the soil for signs of mold or salt crusting.

Likely causes

  1. Fungal Leaf Spot

    Most likely

    How to tell: Small brown or black spots appear on the leaves, often with a yellow halo around them.

    What to do: Remove the affected leaves to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid getting water on the leaves when you irrigate.

  2. Mineral Buildup

    Possible

    How to tell: Small, crusty white or brown spots appear on the leaf tips or edges.

    What to do: Switch to using filtered or distilled water instead of tap water. Flush the soil with clean water to remove excess salts.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your song of india

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 are spreading rapidly across the entire plant, you need to act quickly. A few small spots on older leaves are usually nothing to worry about.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the leaves dry and ensure the plant has plenty of space for air to move around it.

Song of India: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your song of india 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

Are these spots contagious to other plants?
If the spots are fungal, they can spread through water droplets. Keep the infected plant away from your others until it recovers.
Can I use leaf shine on the spots?
Do not use leaf shine products, as they can clog the pores and make the spots worse. Just wipe the leaves gently with a damp cloth.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Song of India

Back to the Song of India 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.