Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves for orange dust.
- Check if the soil is staying wet for too long.
- Look for signs of overcrowding in the planting area.
Likely causes
Rust fungus
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see small orange or brown pustules forming on the leaf blades. These spots often appear after long periods of damp or humid weather.
What to do: Trim away the heavily infected leaves to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant by thinning out crowded patches. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry.
Poor air circulation
PossibleHow to tell: The plant looks damp and stagnant even when it has not rained recently. The spots might be concentrated in the center of the clump.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with better natural airflow. If the grass is growing in a dense clump, divide it to give each section more space.
Find out what's wrong with your matgrass
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
You should worry if the spots are spreading rapidly across the whole plant. A few small spots are manageable, but a full infection can weaken the grass significantly.
Stopping it coming back
Ensure your Matgrass has plenty of space and avoid watering the leaves directly. Keeping the area tidy and free of debris helps prevent fungal spores from settling.
Matgrass: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your matgrass 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
- Will these spots kill my Matgrass?
- Usually not, but they can make the plant look unsightly and weak. Treating it early is the best way to keep your grass healthy.
- Can I use a fungicide?
- You can, but cultural changes like improving airflow are more effective for Matgrass. Focus on keeping the leaves dry.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Matgrass
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.

