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Common Mallow · Malva neglecta

Why does my Common Mallow have orange spots on its leaves?

Those orange or brown spots are almost always a sign of rust, a common fungal issue for mallows. Check the undersides of your leaves to confirm if you see dusty, rust colored spores.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for orange or brown dust.
  2. Check if the leaves have been staying wet for long periods.
  3. Look for signs of poor air circulation around the plant.

Likely causes

  1. Rust Fungus

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small, raised orange or brown pustules on the undersides of leaves. The top of the leaf might show yellow or brown patches.

    What to do: Remove and destroy all infected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry, and ensure your plant has plenty of airflow.

  2. Leaf Spot Disease

    Possible

    How to tell: These spots are usually darker, often with a yellow halo around them. They appear randomly across the leaf surface.

    What to do: Prune away the affected foliage to reduce the fungal load. Keep the area around the base of the plant clear of debris to prevent spores from splashing back up.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common mallow

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 foliage, the plant will struggle to photosynthesize. It is normal to see a few spots on older leaves at the end of the season.

Stopping it coming back

Water at the soil level rather than over the leaves, and give your mallow enough space so air can move freely between plants.

Common Mallow: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common mallow 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 leaf with rust spots?
It is best to remove it. Once the fungus takes hold, it is difficult to cure that specific leaf, and removing it protects the rest of the plant.
Will these spots kill my mallow?
Usually no, but it will weaken the plant significantly. If left untreated, the plant may lose most of its leaves and stop growing.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Common Mallow

Back to the Common Mallow 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.