Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Examine the spots for fungal threads or mycelium.
- Check the local humidity levels.
- Assess your lawn's nitrogen levels.
Likely causes
Dollar Spot
Most likelyHow to tell: Small, bleached, circular spots appear on the lawn, often about the size of a silver dollar.
What to do: Improve air circulation by thinning out nearby shrubs or trees. Apply a balanced fertilizer to help the grass recover, as this fungus often attacks nitrogen deficient lawns.
Red Thread
PossibleHow to tell: You will see pinkish, thread like growth on the grass blades during damp, humid weather.
What to do: Remove the infected clippings after mowing to prevent the spread of spores. Ensure your lawn has adequate nitrogen levels to promote fast recovery.
Find out what's wrong with your red fescue
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
Small patches are manageable, but if the spots start merging and covering large areas, you may need a fungicide treatment.
Stopping it coming back
Water early in the morning so the grass blades dry out quickly during the day, which discourages fungal growth.
Red fescue: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your red fescue 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Is this disease contagious to other plants?
- Most lawn fungi are specific to grasses and will not spread to your ornamental flowers or shrubs.
- Can I mow over the spotted areas?
- Yes, but be sure to clean your mower deck afterward to avoid spreading fungal spores to healthy parts of your lawn.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Red fescue
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.