Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves for orange or brown dust.
- Check if the plant is crowded by other vegetation.
- Look for signs of moisture sitting on the leaves.
Likely causes
Rust fungus
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see small, orange or brown raised pustules on the leaves. These spots often appear after periods of high humidity.
What to do: Remove and destroy the affected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant by thinning out nearby vegetation.
Leaf spot disease
PossibleHow to tell: Dark brown or black spots with yellow halos appear on the foliage. These spots may grow and merge over time.
What to do: Avoid overhead watering to keep the leaves dry. Apply a copper based fungicide if the infection continues to spread.
Find out what's wrong with your jack-go-to-bed-at-noon
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
Worry if the spots cover more than half of the foliage or if the plant stops growing. A few minor spots are common in late summer.
Stopping it coming back
Water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves. Ensure your plant has plenty of space for air to move around it.
Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your jack-go-to-bed-at-noon 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
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Questions people ask
- Can I save a leaf with spots?
- It is usually best to remove it. Once a leaf is heavily spotted, it cannot recover and may spread the fungus to healthy parts.
- Will these spots kill my plant?
- Usually not, but they can weaken it. If left untreated, the plant may lose vigor and produce fewer flowers.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon
- Why is my Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon rotting?
- Why is my Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon growing leggy?
- Why is my Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon not flowering?
- Why is my Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon drooping?
- Why are my Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon leaves getting brown tips?
- Are there bugs on my Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon?
Back to the Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon 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.