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Blackberry · Rubus

Why are there spots on my blackberry leaves and canes?

Seeing spots on your blackberry plants is usually a sign of a fungal infection like anthracnose. Check your canes closely to see if the spots are sunken or purple, as this helps identify the specific fungus.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the canes for sunken purple lesions.
  2. Look at the undersides of the leaves for any fungal growth.
  3. Clear away old debris from the soil surface.

Likely causes

  1. Anthracnose

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small, sunken purple spots on the canes that may turn gray in the center. It often spreads during wet, humid weather.

    What to do: Prune out and destroy any infected canes immediately to stop the spread. Apply a copper based fungicide in early spring before new growth starts to protect the plant.

  2. Leaf Spot

    Possible

    How to tell: Small brown or purple spots appear on the leaves, sometimes with a yellow halo. These spots can eventually cause the leaves to drop prematurely.

    What to do: Remove fallen leaves from around the base of the plant to reduce fungal spores. Ensure your plants have good air circulation by spacing them properly.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your blackberry

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

If the spots cover most of the foliage or cause the canes to die back, your harvest will be severely impacted. Minor spotting on older leaves at the end of the season is usually not a major concern.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around your blackberries free of weeds and debris to improve airflow. Always water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep the leaves dry.

Blackberry: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your blackberry 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 eat blackberries from a plant with spots?
Yes, the fruit is generally safe to eat if it looks healthy. Just avoid picking fruit from canes that are clearly dying or heavily infected.
Will these spots kill my blackberry bush?
Anthracnose can weaken the plant and reduce yields significantly over time. If left untreated for several seasons, it may eventually kill the canes.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Blackberry

Back to the Blackberry 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.