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Check these first
- Look for a white, powdery substance on the leaf surface.
- Check if the spots have yellow rings around them.
- Ensure the plant has enough space from other shrubs for air to move.
Likely causes
Powdery Mildew
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see a white, dusty coating that looks like flour sprinkled on the leaves. It often starts as small spots before spreading across the entire foliage.
What to do: Prune away the most heavily affected branches to improve airflow. Spray the remaining foliage with a mixture of one tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water.
Leaf Spot Fungi
PossibleHow to tell: These appear as distinct brown or black spots with yellow halos. They often show up after periods of heavy rain or high humidity.
What to do: Remove and destroy any fallen leaves around the base of the plant to stop spores from spreading. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage as dry as possible.
Find out what's wrong with your white meadowsweet
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
Treat the plant if the spots cover more than half of the leaves. A few spots here and there are common in late summer.
Stopping it coming back
Water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves, and ensure it gets plenty of direct sun.
White meadowsweet: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your white meadowsweet 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 powdery mildew harmful?
- It is mostly cosmetic but can reduce the plant's ability to photosynthesize if left unchecked. Treat it early to keep the plant vigorous.
- Should I cut off all the spotted leaves?
- You can remove heavily infected leaves, but do not strip the plant bare. Focus on improving airflow around the shrub instead.
Guides to these causes
More problems with white meadowsweet
- Why are my white meadowsweet leaves curling?
- Why are there bugs on my Spiraea alba?
- Why is my white meadowsweet drooping?
- Why are my Spiraea alba leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Spiraea alba leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Spiraea alba dropping its leaves?
- Why is my white meadowsweet not blooming?
- Why is my Spiraea alba growing so leggy?
Back to the white meadowsweet 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.