Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Look at the undersides of leaves for tiny webs or moving dots.
- Check if the spots are yellow or brown.
- Test the soil pH if the leaves look pale.
Likely causes
Spider Mites
PossibleHow to tell: You will see tiny yellow or brown stippling on the leaves. Look closely for fine webbing between the leaves or stems.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil once a week until the pests are gone.
Chlorosis
PossibleHow to tell: Leaves develop yellow spots or pale patches while the veins stay green. This is often caused by high soil pH or iron deficiency.
What to do: Test your soil pH and aim for an acidic range. Apply an iron supplement or fertilizer specifically formulated for acid loving plants.
Find out what's wrong with your japanese skimmia
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Worry if the spots are spreading to all the leaves or if you see active webbing. It is normal to see a few small, natural imperfections on older foliage.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant in a cool, humid environment and avoid high soil pH to prevent nutrient issues.
Japanese skimmia: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your japanese skimmia 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
- Are these spots a fungus?
- While fungal spots are possible, they are less common than pest damage or nutrient issues on this plant. Check for mites first.
- Can I use regular fertilizer for the spots?
- If the spots are due to chlorosis, you need an acidifying fertilizer. Regular fertilizer might not fix the pH issue.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Japanese skimmia
- Why are my Japanese skimmia leaves turning yellow?
- Why are there pests on my Japanese skimmia?
- Why is my Japanese skimmia losing its leaves?
- Why are my Skimmia japonica leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my Japanese skimmia drooping?
- Why is my Skimmia japonica not blooming?
- Why is my Skimmia japonica roots rotting?
- Why is my Skimmia japonica looking leggy?
Back to the Japanese skimmia 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.