Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for pests.
- Check if the leaves are staying wet after misting.
- Test your water source for high mineral content.
Likely causes
Fungal Leaf Spot
PossibleHow to tell: You will see circular brown or black spots often with a yellow halo around them. This happens when leaves stay wet for too long.
What to do: Remove the affected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Keep the foliage dry when watering and ensure there is good airflow around the plant.
Mineral Buildup
PossibleHow to tell: Small brown or white spots appear on the leaf surface or edges. This is caused by salts or chlorine in your tap water.
What to do: Switch to using filtered, distilled, or rainwater for your plant. Flush the soil with clean water once a month to wash out accumulated salts.
Find out what's wrong with your stromanthe
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
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When to worry
Worry if the spots are spreading rapidly across multiple leaves. A single small spot on an older leaf is usually nothing to be concerned about.
Stopping it coming back
Avoid misting the leaves directly and always water at the soil level. Use filtered water to prevent chemical burns.
Stromanthe: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your stromanthe 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
- Should I cut off the spotted leaves?
- Yes, it is best to trim off heavily spotted leaves to keep the plant looking tidy and prevent potential fungal spores from spreading.
- Can I use tap water?
- Stromanthe are sensitive to chemicals like chlorine and fluoride. It is much safer to use distilled or filtered water to avoid leaf damage.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Stromanthe
- Why are my Stromanthe's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why does my Stromanthe have pests?
- Why are my Stromanthe leaves curling?
- Why is my Stromanthe drooping?
- Why are my Stromanthe leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Stromanthe dropping leaves?
- How do I fix root rot in my Stromanthe?
- Why is my Stromanthe looking leggy?
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.