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Lily · Lilium

Why are there brown spots on my lily leaves?

Brown spots on lilies are often a sign of Botrytis blight, a common fungal issue that thrives in humid conditions. Check your plant for fuzzy gray mold or spreading lesions to confirm if this is the culprit.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of leaves for fuzzy gray mold.
  2. Check if the spots are spreading rapidly after rainy weather.
  3. Feel the soil to see if the plant has been drying out too much.

Likely causes

  1. Botrytis Blight

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small brown or reddish spots that grow into larger, irregular patches. Sometimes a fuzzy gray mold appears on the underside of the leaves.

    What to do: Remove and destroy all infected foliage immediately to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around your lilies and avoid overhead watering to keep the leaves dry.

  2. Leaf Scorch

    Possible

    How to tell: Spots appear as dry, tan patches often located on the leaf tips or edges. This happens when the plant gets too much direct heat or dries out completely.

    What to do: Move your lily to a spot with bright, indirect light instead of harsh afternoon sun. Ensure you water every 5 to 10 days when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your 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 quickly across the entire plant, it is likely a fungal infection that needs immediate intervention. Small, isolated dry spots are usually just a reaction to heat or minor drought.

Stopping it coming back

Space your lilies out to ensure good airflow and always water at the base of the plant rather than wetting the leaves.

Lily: spots? Check yours with a photo

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

Can I save a lily with spots?
Yes, if you catch it early. Prune away the affected parts and keep the foliage dry.
Will the spots go away?
No, the damaged tissue will not heal. You should remove the spotted leaves to keep the plant looking healthy.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Lily

Back to the Lily 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.