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Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for fungal spores.
- Check if your irrigation system sprays water directly onto the foliage.
- Look for crowded conditions around the plant base.
Likely causes
Entomosporium leaf spot
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see reddish or brown spots with a purple halo on the leaves. Eventually, the centers of these spots may turn gray or drop out.
What to do: Prune away heavily infected branches to improve airflow. Water only at the base of the plant early in the morning to keep foliage dry. Apply a copper based fungicide if the infection is widespread.
Poor air circulation
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is crowded by other shrubs or planted against a wall where air cannot move freely. This keeps humidity high around the leaves.
What to do: Thin out nearby plants to allow better breeze through the canopy. Move the plant if it is in a stagnant corner of your yard.
Find out what's wrong with your indian hawthorn
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
Worry if the spots are spreading rapidly and causing significant leaf drop. A few spots are normal in humid weather but should be managed to prevent decline.
Stopping it coming back
Always water at the soil level rather than overhead and ensure your plant has plenty of space for air to circulate.
Indian hawthorn: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your indian hawthorn 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
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Questions people ask
- Will the spots go away on their own?
- No, the spots will remain on the leaves until they fall off. You must treat the fungus to stop it from spreading to new growth.
- Is this disease fatal?
- It is rarely fatal if caught early, but it can make the plant look very ragged and weak over time.
More problems with Indian hawthorn
- Why are my Indian hawthorn leaves turning yellow?
- How do I know if my Indian hawthorn has root rot?
- Why are my Indian hawthorn's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Indian hawthorn drooping?
- Why is my Indian hawthorn losing its leaves?
- Why is my Indian hawthorn not blooming?
- Are there bugs on my Indian hawthorn?
- Why is my Indian hawthorn growing so leggy?
Back to the Indian hawthorn 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.