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Saucer magnolia · Magnolia soulangeana

Why does my Saucer Magnolia have spots on its leaves?

Leaf spots are usually caused by fungal infections that thrive in wet, humid weather. While they look unsightly, they rarely threaten the life of a mature tree. Check if the spots are appearing after a long rainy spell.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Look for fallen leaves around the base of the tree.
  2. Check if the spots are mostly on the lower, inner branches.
  3. Observe if the weather has been unusually wet or humid.

Likely causes

  1. Fungal Leaf Spot

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small, dark brown or black spots with yellow halos on the leaves. In severe cases, the leaves may drop early.

    What to do: Rake up and destroy all fallen leaves to remove fungal spores from the area. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry.

  2. Anthracnose

    Possible

    How to tell: Irregular brown blotches appear on leaves, often starting at the tips or edges. It usually happens during cool, wet springs.

    What to do: Prune out dead or dying twigs to improve air circulation. Apply a copper based fungicide in early spring if the problem persists year after year.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your saucer magnolia

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

It is normal to see a few spots late in the summer as leaves age. Worry only if the tree loses a significant portion of its leaves before autumn.

Stopping it coming back

Improve airflow by pruning crowded branches and always water at the base of the tree. Keep the area under the canopy clean of debris.

Saucer magnolia: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your saucer magnolia 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 spray my tree with fungicide?
Fungicides are usually unnecessary for minor spots. Focus on cleaning up fallen leaves and improving airflow first.
Will the spots spread to my other plants?
Most leaf spot fungi are specific to certain plant families. Your magnolia's fungus is unlikely to bother your roses or perennials.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Saucer magnolia

Back to the Saucer magnolia 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.