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Bay Laurel · Laurus nobilis

Why does my Bay Laurel have dark spots on its leaves?

Dark spots on your Bay Laurel are often caused by fungal infections that thrive in damp, stagnant air. This usually happens when the leaves stay wet for too long or the plant lacks proper ventilation. Check your plant's environment to see if it is getting enough airflow.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Check if the leaves are staying wet after watering.
  2. Feel the soil to see if it is constantly soggy.
  3. Assess the room for stagnant air or poor ventilation.

Likely causes

  1. Fungal Leaf Spot

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see dark, irregular brown or black spots on the leaves, sometimes with a yellow halo. These spots may grow larger if the humidity stays high.

    What to do: Prune away the most heavily affected leaves to improve airflow. Move the plant to a spot with better air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage when you water.

  2. Overwatering

    Possible

    How to tell: If the soil stays soggy, the roots cannot breathe, which can lead to dark, water soaked spots on the lower leaves. The leaves may also feel soft or mushy.

    What to do: Allow the top few centimeters of soil to dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your bay laurel

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, occasional spots are common, but if they spread rapidly across the entire plant, you need to act quickly. If the spots are accompanied by a foul smell from the soil, it may be a root issue.

Stopping it coming back

Water only at the base of the plant to keep leaves dry, and ensure the plant is in a well ventilated area.

Bay Laurel: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bay laurel 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?
Remove the leaves that are heavily spotted to stop the fungus from spreading. If only a few spots exist, you can leave them, but keep an eye on them.
Does misting my Bay Laurel help?
No, misting is not recommended for Bay Laurel. It increases humidity around the leaves and encourages fungal growth.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Bay Laurel

Back to the Bay Laurel 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.