Will this kill my plant?

It rarely kills the plant outright, but it weakens it significantly. If left untreated, the plant will look ragged and stop blooming.

Should I move the plant?

If it is in a stagnant, humid corner, moving it to a breezier spot will help immensely. Good airflow is the best defense against mildew.

Scarlet sage: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Rub the white spot to see if it wipes off like dust.
Check if the plant is crowded by other plants.
Look for signs of high humidity around the plant.

Likely causes

Powdery mildew
Most likely
How to tell: A white, flour like coating appears on the leaves. It usually starts on the older leaves and spreads upward.
What to do: Remove the most heavily infected leaves immediately. Spray the remaining foliage with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water.
Water splashing
Possible
How to tell: Small, irregular spots appear after watering. These are usually mineral deposits or soil splashes.
What to do: Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead. Keep the foliage dry to prevent fungal growth.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your scarlet sage

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.

When to worry

If the spots cover more than half the leaf surface, the leaf will likely die. It is normal to see a small amount of spotting during very humid weeks.

Stopping it coming back

Ensure your plant has plenty of space for air to circulate and always water at the soil level, not the leaves.

Scarlet sage: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your scarlet sage 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.

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

Questions people ask

Will this kill my plant?: It rarely kills the plant outright, but it weakens it significantly. If left untreated, the plant will look ragged and stop blooming.
Should I move the plant?: If it is in a stagnant, humid corner, moving it to a breezier spot will help immensely. Good airflow is the best defense against mildew.

Guides to these causes

Powdery Mildew

Why are there white spots on my Scarlet sage leaves?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your scarlet sage?