Will these spots kill my White campion?

Usually no, but it can weaken the plant and reduce flowering. It is best to treat it early to keep the plant vigorous.

Can I compost the infected leaves?

No, do not put them in your home compost pile. The spores can survive and spread back to your garden, so throw them in the trash instead.

White campion: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of the leaves for orange or brown bumps.
Check if the leaves have been wet for long periods.
Look for signs of poor airflow around the base of the plant.

Likely causes

Rust Fungus
Most likely
How to tell: You will see small, raised orange or reddish brown bumps on the undersides of the leaves. The top of the leaf may show yellow or pale spots directly above the infection.
What to do: Prune off and destroy the most heavily infected leaves to stop the spread. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry, and apply a copper based fungicide if the infection is widespread.
Leaf Spot Disease
Possible
How to tell: These spots are usually dark brown or black with a yellow halo around them. They appear randomly across the foliage rather than just on the undersides.
What to do: Remove affected foliage and clear away any dead plant debris from the soil surface. Ensure the plant has good air circulation by thinning out nearby crowded vegetation.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your white campion

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 or start spreading to the stems, the plant will struggle to photosynthesize. Minor spotting is common in late summer and usually does not kill the plant.

Stopping it coming back

Water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves, and space your plants out to allow air to move freely between them.

White campion: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your white campion 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

Will these spots kill my White campion?: Usually no, but it can weaken the plant and reduce flowering. It is best to treat it early to keep the plant vigorous.
Can I compost the infected leaves?: No, do not put them in your home compost pile. The spores can survive and spread back to your garden, so throw them in the trash instead.

Why does my White campion have orange spots on its leaves?

Check these first

Likely causes

Rust Fungus

Leaf Spot Disease

Find out what's wrong with your white campion

When to worry

Stopping it coming back

White campion: spots? Check yours with a photo

Questions people ask

Guides to these causes

More problems with White campion