Spots on Shamrock leaves - Ask Extension
My Shamrock plant was doing wonderful. I placed it in my front window where it gets morning light. I water the plant about once a week. I fertilized...
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Spots on Shamrock leaves #661304
Asked July 08, 2020, 8:47 AM EDT
My Shamrock plant was doing wonderful. I placed it in my front window where it gets morning light. I water the plant about once a week. I fertilized it about 3 weeks ago (I'm not sure if that would cause the spots, but it seems as though that is when they started appearing; but that was about the time it was moved to the front window). The leaves have developed these white and brown spots on them. Is there something I can do to help rid the plant of whatever this is? Thank you!
Erie County New York
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. I am unable to see if the white spots are a fungus, such as powdery mildew, which grows on plant leaves when the humidity is high. Eventually, it causes the plant tissue it rests on to turn yellow, then brown and die. Some varieties are also sensitive to municipal water that has chemicals added, so must be watered with rain, well or distilled water. Here is a comprehensive Extension article on this species: https://wimastergardener.org/article/shamrocks-oxalis-spp/
I hope this is helpful. Good luck!