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Motherwort · Leonurus cardiaca

Why does my Motherwort have spots on its leaves?

Spots on Motherwort leaves are often a sign of fungal issues, especially when humidity is high. The most common culprit is powdery mildew, which looks like a dusting of white powder. Check the foliage for discoloration or fuzzy growth.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Examine the leaves for a white, powdery coating.
  2. Check if the spots are brown or black with yellow edges.
  3. Observe if the plant is crowded by other vegetation.

Likely causes

  1. Powdery mildew

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see white, dusty patches on the leaf surfaces. It often starts on older leaves and spreads quickly in humid weather.

    What to do: Remove the most heavily infected leaves to improve airflow. Spray the remaining foliage with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1 gallon of water.

  2. Leaf spot fungus

    Possible

    How to tell: These appear as brown or black spots with yellow halos. They usually occur when the leaves stay wet for too long.

    What to do: Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep the leaves dry. Prune away affected foliage to stop the spread.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your motherwort

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 cover more than half the leaf surface, the plant will struggle to photosynthesize. Minor spotting is common during rainy seasons.

Stopping it coming back

Provide plenty of space between plants for air to circulate. Always water the soil directly to keep the leaves dry.

Motherwort: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your motherwort 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

Is powdery mildew contagious to my other plants?
Yes, it spreads easily through air currents. Isolate the affected Motherwort until the infection is cleared.
Should I throw away the infected leaves?
Yes, do not compost them. Put them in the trash to prevent the fungal spores from returning.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Motherwort

Back to the Motherwort 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.