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French rose · Rosa gallica

Why are there dark spots on my French rose leaves?

Black spot is a common fungal issue for French roses, especially when humidity is high. Check the undersides of the leaves for signs of fungal growth first.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the leaves for circular black marks.
  2. Check if the foliage stays wet for long periods.
  3. Look for yellowing leaves near the bottom of the plant.

Likely causes

  1. Black spot fungus

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see circular black spots with fringed edges on the leaves. The leaves often turn yellow and fall off prematurely.

    What to do: Remove all infected leaves immediately and dispose of them in the trash, not your compost. Apply a copper based fungicide every 7 to 14 days during wet weather to protect healthy foliage.

  2. Poor air circulation

    Possible

    How to tell: The center of the rose bush stays damp for a long time after rain. This creates the perfect environment for fungal spores to thrive.

    What to do: Prune out crowded branches in the center of the plant to allow better airflow. Always water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep the leaves dry.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your french rose

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 spread rapidly to all leaves and cause total defoliation. A few spots after a rainy week is normal.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around the base of your rose clean of fallen debris and ensure the plant gets full sun.

French rose: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your french rose 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 leaves that already have spots?
No, once a leaf has black spot, it will not recover. It is best to remove it to stop the fungus from spreading to the rest of the plant.
Will my rose die from black spot?
It rarely kills the plant, but it weakens it significantly. If left untreated, the rose will struggle to bloom and may become leggy.

More problems with French rose

Back to the French rose 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.