Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the leaves for dark spots with yellow halos.
- Check if the plant is crowded by other shrubs.
- Look for fallen leaves around the base of the plant.
Likely causes
Black Spot Fungus
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see black or dark brown spots with fringed edges on the leaves. Infected leaves often turn yellow and fall off prematurely.
What to do: Remove and destroy all infected leaves immediately, do not compost them. Apply a copper fungicide or neem oil every 7 to 14 days to stop the spread.
Poor Air Circulation
PossibleHow to tell: Leaves stay wet for too long after rain or watering. This creates the perfect environment for fungal spores to grow.
What to do: Prune back crowded branches to improve airflow through the center of the plant. Always water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep foliage dry.
Find out what's wrong with your 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
It is serious if the infection spreads to the entire plant and causes total defoliation. A few spots are manageable, but don't ignore them.
Stopping it coming back
Water only at the soil level and keep the area around the base of the rose clear of debris.
Rose: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your 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.
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 my rose die from black spot?
- It rarely kills the plant outright, but it weakens it significantly. If left untreated, the rose will struggle to bloom and may not survive the winter.
- Can I save the leaves that have spots?
- No, once a leaf is infected with black spot, it cannot be cured. It is best to remove it to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy parts of the plant.
More problems with Rose
- Why are there tiny bugs on my rose buds?
- Why are my rose leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my rose bush losing its leaves?
- Why is my rose bush not producing flowers?
- Why are my rose bushes getting leggy?
- Why are my rose leaves curling up?
- Why do my rose leaves have brown tips?
- Why is my rose bush drooping?
- Why is my rose bush showing signs of root rot?
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.