Despite a houseplant lovers best efforts, diseases can still strike.
Fungal diseases are among the most common.
Heres a quick guide to help spot and treat them.
Fungal diseases are common in plants.
Some, like blight, are confined to outdoor plants, especially tomatoes.
Others hit houseplants of all kinds.
The causes are varied.Overwateringis the biggest culprit but too cool temps or too much humidity are also factors.
Here is a look at the most common fungal diseases and how to treat them.
Its usually because of overwatering or by allowing water to stand in the center of the plant.
Symptoms include brown or yellowed leaves, blackened or mushy stems and a general plant collapse.
Once Crown Rot has begun it is impossible to stop.
The only treatment is to take cuttings from any remaining healthy stems and discard the plant.
To prevent use a moisture meter to prevent overwatering and never pour water into the center of a plant.
Leaf spot
This affects a wide variety of plants.
Its due to poor ventilation and high humidity.
To treat, remove affected leaves, increase ventilation and spray plant with a homemade or commercial fungicide.
A dehumidifier may also prove helpful.
Symptoms include a white or gray coating on leaves, deformed new growth, and wilting or curling leaves.
Its triggered by poor air circulation or by weather that involves warm, humid days and cool nights.
To treat, increase ventilation and remove affected leaves.
Spray with a homemade or commercial fungicide.
Mold
Sometimes a white mold will form on the soil surface.
If not caught in time it can spread to the plant itself and cause stem rot.
The mold is usually the result of overwatering combined with cool conditions.
If the mold returns, repotting in fresh soil is the next step.
If it has spread to the plant itself little can be done.
Pour into a spray bottle and spray plants liberally.
