Powdery Mildew
White powdery coating on leaves, spread by fungal spores.
Symptoms
- ✓White or grey powdery patches on leaf surfaces
- ✓Leaves may distort, curl, or yellow
- ✓Growth slows
- ✓Coating can spread to stems and buds
Causes
- High humidity combined with poor airflow
- Cool nights followed by warm days
- Overcrowded plants
- Splashing water on leaves
Treatment
- 01Isolate the plant.
- 02Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth to remove as much coating as possible.
- 03Spray with a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda + a few drops of dish soap per litre of water, or use a horticultural fungicide.
- 04Repeat weekly until no new patches appear for two weeks.
- 05Improve airflow and reduce humidity around the plant.
Prevention
- Space plants to allow air movement.
- Water the soil, not the leaves.
- Avoid misting plants prone to mildew.
- Prune congested growth.
Commonly affects
FAQ
Will powdery mildew kill my plant?+
Rarely on its own, but it weakens the plant and can spread to healthier neighbours.
Is powdery mildew the same as mould on soil?+
No. Soil mould is usually harmless saprophytic fungi. Powdery mildew grows on living plant tissue.
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