Are you noticing white spots on parsley sitting in your herb garden?
Parsley is a wonderful herb to grow at home. The refreshing flavor and aroma of the plant is simply amazing. Although it is a low maintenance and non-fussy plant, sometimes it suffers from certain problems like white and light brown spots on the leaves.
In this article, we will discuss the causes and treatment of white spots on parsley leaves.
White spots on parsley
One of the most common issues with parsley is the white spots on the leaves. There can be a number of reasons behind these leaf spots including the quality of soil, blockage of sunlight, fungal and bacterial infection etc.
Below are the most common reasons behind the white spots on parsley :
1. Poor soil
The first and foremost reason behind the leaf spots in parsley is the low-quality soil. Generally, this plant required nutrient-rich and moist soil with decent drainage ability.
If the soil is dry and of poor quality then the plant will not thrive. When it is combined with high humidity, several fungal diseases start attacking the plant.
2. Lack of sunlight
This is the most common mistake people do which results in white spots on the leaves of parsley. Not just parsley but lack of sunlight can cause white spots on any plant like basil, sage, mint etc.
This is because the plant doesn’t get enough chlorophyll which is the main reason behind the green color of plants.
3. Powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is another common reason behind the white spots on parsley. It is a fungal problem which attacks the plant due to high humidity and lack of moisture.
It mainly attacks the young leaves and is followed by their curling. The infected leaves get generally covered by the white powdery mildew.
4. Bacterial diseases
White spots on parsley may also be due to bacterial problems. Certain bacteria can attach itself to the leaves in different ways. If the white spots in your plant are due to this problem then you may also notice brown and tan spots near the edge of the leaves.
These leaves become dry and weak and also can be plucked by touching. However, older leaves are more likely to be attacked by bacterial problems than the new ones.
While the bacterial diseases are a matter of concern, you can easily treat them using copper fungicide as soon as you notice the symptoms.
Apart from these problems, there are some other major diseases that may cause white spots in parsley. These are as follows :
Spots Septoria – Spots Septoria as the name suggests, is a common leaf disease. This is caused due to an infected seed and keeps affecting the leaves of parsley for long. Symptoms of this disease include small tears and red to brown margins. It can be seen more commonly during the rainy season and in excess of irrigation.
Stemphylium – Stemphylium is another recent fungal disease which has been found to be affecting parsley. It is also commonly seen in onion, garlic, leek and asparagus plants. It is seen as small spots which begin to get large as time passes and also turn dark brown. This disease generally attacks older leaves.
Read Also:How Long Does Parsley Last ?
Can you eat parsley with white spots ?
If the white spots are due to loss of chlorophyll or sucking insects, the leaves are fine to eat. Just make sure to wash them properly before eating. However, if you’re noticing symptoms of some fungal or bacterial infection then avoid using the leaves.
Tips to eliminate fungal diseases and white spots from parsley
- You can eliminate the above-mentioned diseases by using a drip irrigation system rather than splashing water overhead.
- Make sure your plants get enough space for air circulation. Also, allow your plant to dry after rains and watering.
- Always take care of garden sanitation.
- Make sure your plant gets enough sunlight. The good idea is to keep your plant near a window where it can get enough sunlight and air.
- As soon as you notice the symptoms or white spots, spray a fungicide (preferably natural) to control the problem.
So, these were some tips to eliminate and prevent white spots in parsley. To help you a bit more, we are also sharing some useful natural remedies that will help you to treat your parsley plant.
Natural remedies for treating white spots on parsley leaves
As we all know, the chemical-based fertilizers and fungicides can be very toxic for our health. No doubt, they are more effective but we can’t ignore the fact that they can be harmful for us.
Here, we are listing some amazing natural remedies for treating white spots on parsley leaves. All of the listed remedies are very powerful. Prepare by moving your plants in an open area before spraying them.
Also, follow these remedies in the evening, so that no pollinators are harmed. Not to mention, protect yourself with gloves, mask etc.
Baking soda spray
Baking soda is one of the most versatile kitchen ingredients. It can be used for cooking, cleaning and yes, for treating white spots on the leaves of parsley. It is a natural and non-toxic fungicide which works great.
Also, it doesn’t affect the quality of soil and is safe for your health. For this, mix ¼ cup of baking soda to one cup of water and mix well. Fill the solution in a spray bottle and use it on alternate days on the plants.
Neem oil
Neem oil is an amazing natural and biodegradable ingredient for bacterial infections. Plus, it is safe for humans and animals as well. All you need to do is spray some of it on the parsley leaves, preferably on a sunny day. You can use this remedy once every two weeks.
Baking soda + horticulture oil
Here is another remedy using baking soda. This time, you’ll be using horticulture oils. You can get these online or from local dealers as well. This mixture works great as a natural fungicide.
For this, mix 1 and tablespoon of baking soda with 3 tablespoons of petroleum-based horticulture oil and a gallon of water. Mix the ingredients well and fill it in a spray bottle.
Use this remedy for powdery mildew as soon as you notice the early symptoms. Use it only once in 15 days for good results. Moreover, don’t use it on young plants and during extreme temperatures and rains.
Read Also:Parsley VS Coriander
That’s about it! We hope this guide helps you.
