DISEASE ID · FUNGAL DISEASE

Black spot of rose

Also called Rose black spot, black spot on roses

A fungus that leaves dark spots on rose leaves. Hit leaves turn yellow and drop, and the plant gets weaker.

When you’ll see it: Spring and fall, during wet weather

Rose leaves with dark brown to black spots from black spot disease, with yellowing tissue around the spots — Photo: Stephen James McWilliam, CC0

How to spot it

Small, dry, reddish-brown spots on leaves, with feathery edges
Spots grow and turn black
Yellow leaf tissue around the spots
Whole leaves turn yellow and drop
Purple-red blotches on this year's canes

Why it shows up

Spores spread by splashing water. The fungus needs the leaf to stay wet for about seven hours to infect, and it does best in cool, moist weather. It survives on infected canes and on fallen leaves.

How we treat it

We will identify it on a visit and recommend the right fix. Most of it is cultural: water at the base in the morning, give roses room for airflow, clean up fallen leaves, and prune out infected canes. If a treatment makes sense for your roses, we will talk it through with you.

What you can do

Water in the late morning at the base. Skip overhead watering.
Rake up fallen leaves and prune out spotted canes.
Space roses so air can move through, and look for resistant varieties when you replant.

WANT IT HANDLED?

Let a licensed applicator take it from here.

Tell us about your lawn. We’ll get back to you with a free quote.

Prefer to talk? 817-382-1722

Licensed applicator, Texas Department of Agriculture · License #0984138