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Singapore graveyard flower · Plumeria obtusa

What are these orange spots on my Plumeria leaves?

Plumeria rust is a common fungal issue that creates bright orange, powdery pustules on the undersides of leaves. It usually happens when the air is humid and the leaves stay wet for too long. Check the bottom of your leaves immediately if you see yellowing or orange dust.

spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Look at the undersides of the leaves for orange powder.
  2. Check if you have been watering the leaves directly.
  3. Ensure the plant has enough space for air to move around it.

Likely causes

  1. Plumeria Rust

    Most likely

    How to tell: Bright orange, powdery spots appear on the undersides of leaves. The top of the leaf may show yellow or brown patches corresponding to the spots below.

    What to do: Remove and destroy all infected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Apply a copper based fungicide to the remaining foliage every 10 to 14 days. Avoid overhead watering to keep the leaves dry.

  2. Fungal Leaf Spot

    Possible

    How to tell: Dark brown or black spots with yellow halos appear on the leaves. This is often caused by poor air circulation or wet foliage.

    What to do: Prune away heavily infected leaves to improve airflow. Ensure your plant is in a spot with full sun and good breeze. Keep the soil surface clean of fallen debris.

When to worry

Worry if the spots are spreading rapidly to new leaves or if the plant is losing most of its foliage. It is normal for a few older leaves to develop minor spots as they age.

Stopping it coming back

Always water at the base of the plant rather than over the top. Provide plenty of space between plants to ensure good air circulation.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your singapore graveyard flower.

This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf 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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Questions people ask

Should I throw away the infected leaves?
Yes, put them in the trash, not your compost pile. This prevents the fungal spores from spreading back to your plant.
Will my plant recover from rust?
Yes, most plants recover well once the infection is controlled. The plant will grow new, healthy leaves once the weather becomes less favorable for the fungus.

More problems with Singapore graveyard flower

Back to the Singapore graveyard flower guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.