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Tomato · Solanum lycopersicum

Why are there dark spots on my tomato leaves?

Dark spots on tomato leaves are often a sign of fungal infection like early blight. Check the lower leaves first, as that is where these issues typically start.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Look for concentric rings inside the spots.
  2. Check if the spots are appearing on the bottom leaves first.
  3. Examine the plant for signs of high humidity or poor airflow.

Likely causes

  1. Early Blight

    Most likely

    How to tell: Dark brown or black spots with concentric rings appear on the lower leaves. The leaves eventually turn yellow and drop off.

    What to do: Remove and destroy infected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Apply a copper based fungicide or neem oil every 7 to 10 days to protect the remaining foliage.

  2. Septoria Leaf Spot

    Possible

    How to tell: Small circular spots with dark borders and gray centers appear on the leaves. These spots are usually smaller than those caused by blight.

    What to do: Increase airflow by pruning lower branches and spacing plants further apart. Avoid splashing water onto the leaves when you irrigate.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your tomato

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

Small spots are manageable, but if they cover more than half the plant, it will struggle to produce fruit. Remove severely affected plants to save the rest of your garden.

Stopping it coming back

Mulch the soil around the base of your plants to prevent soilborne fungi from splashing up onto the leaves.

Tomato: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your tomato 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

Is it safe to eat tomatoes from a plant with spots?
Yes, the fruit is usually safe to eat as long as it looks healthy. The fungus affects the leaves, not the fruit itself.
How do I stop spots from spreading?
Keep the leaves dry, improve airflow, and remove any infected foliage as soon as you see it. Never compost diseased tomato leaves.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Tomato

Back to the Tomato 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.