Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

European plum · Prunus domestica

Why are there spots on my European plum fruit and leaves?

Spots on your plum tree often point to fungal issues like brown rot, which is very common in humid weather. You should check if the spots are appearing on the fruit or the leaves to narrow down the cause.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Examine the fruit for fuzzy brown patches.
  2. Check the leaves for small holes or reddish spots.
  3. Look for dead, shriveled blossoms on the branches.

Likely causes

  1. Brown rot

    Most likely

    How to tell: This fungus causes soft, brown, fuzzy spots on the fruit that eventually turn into shriveled mummies. It can also cause blossoms to wilt and die.

    What to do: Remove and destroy all infected fruit immediately to stop the spread. Prune out any dead or diseased branches during the winter to improve airflow.

  2. Shot hole disease

    Possible

    How to tell: Small, reddish spots appear on leaves, which eventually drop out and leave behind holes that look like buckshot. It can cause premature leaf drop.

    What to do: Rake up and dispose of all fallen leaves to remove fungal spores from the area. Apply a copper fungicide in the fall after leaf drop if the problem persists.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your european plum

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

Brown rot is serious because it can ruin your entire harvest. If you see fruit turning into fuzzy mummies, act fast to save the rest of the crop.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area under the tree clean by removing fallen fruit and leaves. Prune the canopy to ensure good sunlight penetration and air circulation.

European plum: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your european plum 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I eat fruit with brown rot?
No, you should discard any fruit showing signs of rot. It will taste bad and may contain fungal toxins.
How do I stop brown rot from coming back?
Sanitation is key. Remove every bit of mummified fruit from the tree and the ground before winter starts.

Guides to these causes

More problems with European plum

Back to the European plum 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.