The leaf spot disease damages the appearance of lavender and affects the harvest. It is therefore advisable to react immediately when the first signs of the disease, which is usually caused by fungi, appear. Below you will find out how to recognize and combat leaf spot on lavender.
How do I treat leaf spot on lavender?
If your lavender suffers from leaf spot disease, there is only one thing that can help: cut back all affected parts of the plant generously. Dispose of the waste exclusively in organic waste and never in compost. Before pruning, you should isolate the diseased lavender to protect other plants.
How do I recognize leaf spot on lavender?
In lavender, leaf spot disease is manifested byyellowish leaves with dark spots The latter are usually brownish to blackish. The initially relatively small and sometimes even brighter dots become larger and darker over time and eventually merge, so that the leaves dry out completely and die.
What causes leaf spot on lavender?
Mushrooms from the genera Septoria, Alternaria and Aspchyta are considered to trigger leaf spot disease in lavender and other plants. These fungal pathogens prefer to attack weakened plants. Accordingly, care errors are generally the cause of the outbreak of the disease.
Excessive watering or watering of the leaves leads to persistent leaf wetness - and moisture is known to provide a good breeding ground for fungi. Planting distances that are too narrow and a location that is too shady also mean that the leaves cannot dry well.
How do I prevent leaf spot on lavender?
In order to prevent leaf spot on lavender, the first thing to make sure is to care for the mint family appropriately. This particularly includes these aspects:
- Only water the root area, never the leaves directly.
- Avoid waterlogging as a general rule.
- Fertilize the lavender in a balanced way (not too much nitrogen, more calibrated).
- Keep enough distance from neighboring plants.
- Choose a bright and wind-protected location.
Tip
Disinfect garden or hedge trimmers
You can cut away the affected parts of the lavender plant with garden shears or hedge shears. Disinfect the tool before and after use. In this way, you prevent new fungal infections on the affected lavender and also on your other plants.
