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Ivy-leaved speedwell · Veronica hederifolia

Why does my Ivy-leaved speedwell have spots on its leaves?

Seeing spots on your speedwell usually points to fungal issues or moisture sitting on the foliage for too long. Check the undersides of the leaves first to see if there is any fuzzy growth.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for fuzzy growth.
  2. Check if the plant is crowded by other foliage.
  3. Feel the leaves to see if they are staying damp for long periods.

Likely causes

  1. Downy mildew

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see yellow or pale spots on the top of the leaves with a fine, grayish fungal growth on the underside. It thrives when the air is humid and the leaves stay wet.

    What to do: Remove the affected leaves immediately to stop the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry.

  2. Leaf spot fungus

    Most likely

    How to tell: These appear as dark, circular, or irregular spots that might have a yellow halo. They often show up after periods of heavy rain or high humidity.

    What to do: Prune away the damaged leaves and dispose of them in the trash, not your compost. Apply a copper-based fungicide if the infection continues to spread to healthy growth.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your ivy-leaved speedwell

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 are spreading rapidly across the entire plant. A few small spots on older leaves are common as the season progresses.

Stopping it coming back

Water at the base of the plant instead of over the leaves, and ensure there is plenty of space between plants for air to move.

Ivy-leaved speedwell: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your ivy-leaved speedwell 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

Can I save a leaf with spots?
It is usually better to remove spotted leaves to prevent the fungus from spreading to the rest of the plant. Once a leaf is heavily infected, it will not recover.
Does this mean my plant is dying?
Not necessarily, but it does mean your plant is stressed by its environment. If you catch it early and fix the airflow, your speedwell should bounce back.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Ivy-leaved speedwell

Back to the Ivy-leaved speedwell 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.