Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Look closely at the underside of the leaves for orange dust or bumps.
- Check if the plant is crowded by other foliage.
- Feel the leaves to see if they stay damp for hours after watering.
Likely causes
Rust fungus
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see small, raised orange or reddish pustules on the undersides of the leaves.
What to do: Remove and destroy the infected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant by spacing it away from other pots.
Water splashing
PossibleHow to tell: Small, irregular brown spots appear after you water the plant from above.
What to do: Always water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves. Keep the foliage dry to prevent fungal spores from taking hold.
Find out what's wrong with your fairy flax
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
A few tiny spots might be minor, but rust spreads fast. If the spots cover more than a quarter of the plant, it is a serious infection.
Stopping it coming back
Water only the soil and ensure the plant has plenty of space for air to move around the stems.
Fairy flax: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your fairy flax 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
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I save a plant with rust?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Prune the infected parts and move the plant to a drier, airier location.
- Is the spot disease contagious?
- Yes, fungal spores travel through the air or on water droplets. Keep infected plants away from your healthy ones.
Guides to these causes
More problems with fairy flax
- Why is my fairy flax drooping?
- Why is my fairy flax wilting and showing root rot?
- Why is my fairy flax growing tall and leggy?
- Why is my fairy flax not flowering?
- Why are my fairy flax leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my fairy flax tips turning brown?
- Why is my fairy flax dropping leaves?
- How do I get rid of pests on my fairy flax?
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.