Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Look for slime trails on the leaves or ground.
- Examine the leaf veins for brown streaking patterns.
- Check if the spots are holes or just discoloration.
Likely causes
Foliar Nematodes
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see brown, dead streaks appearing between the leaf veins. These streaks eventually turn the whole leaf brown.
What to do: Remove and destroy all affected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Do not compost these leaves, as the nematodes can survive in the soil.
Slugs and Snails
PossibleHow to tell: These pests chew irregular holes in the foliage and leave behind shiny slime trails. The spots are actually jagged holes rather than discoloration.
What to do: Set out beer traps or use iron phosphate bait around the base of the plant. Clear away debris where these pests like to hide.
Find out what's wrong with your plantain 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
If the spots are spreading rapidly across the entire plant, it is a serious concern. Small, isolated holes are normal and usually just cosmetic.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the area around your Hostas clean and free of decaying plant matter to discourage pests.
Keep your plantain 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
- Are these spots a disease?
- Often, they are caused by pests like nematodes or slugs. True fungal leaf spots are less common but can occur in very humid conditions.
- Should I cut off spotted leaves?
- Yes, removing damaged leaves helps the plant look better and prevents the spread of nematodes or fungi.
More problems with Plantain Lily
Back to the Plantain Lily guide
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.