Bacterial Leaf Spot Pothos: Causes and Preventions to Follow 

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Everyone wants to maintain their home garden as the best place to walk in. So, keeping this purpose in mind, you might have grown pothos in your home garden. Pothos is one of the varieties that is scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum. It tends to produce great foliage in the plant. It is used in various offices, homes, restaurants, and indoor locations to brighten up the area. Its heart structure leaves in the shade of gold,  white, and green tend to amaze you. 

Sometimes you might observe that there are dark spots on the leaves but what are they? Though there can be several things that lead to the dark spot, one of the main ones is the bacterial leaf spot. Do not worry as bacteria is everywhere. First, you have to know about some of the main causes that are leading to the bacterial leaf spot in your Pothos plant. 

After that, All you need to know is the prevention so that you come to save your plant. so without wasting time, let’s move forward to throw some light on the causes and preventions so that you can save your plant on time. 

What Is Bacterial Leaf Spot?

Bacterial leaf spot is an infection caused by some of the bacteria like Xanthomonas spp. and Pseudomonas spp. One of The main species, that plays an important role in the infection in the pothos is Xanthomonas campestris. 

Yes, it is a common infected bacteria that will ruin the growth of your plant. The bacteria are caused because of the over–wetness in the plant. Though this problem is not making your plant die at the first instance it will cause some of the major damage to the plant’s foliage. 

So you have to keep a check on the plant so that you come to know if it is being infected or not. The infection will be spread to the plant immediately so, save your plant otherwise it will be in the plant. 

Does My Pothos Have a Bacterial or Fungal Leaf Spot Disease?

Before proceeding, you should know if you both have a bacterial leaf spot or a fungal leaf spot. It is because if you know about the right disease, then you will be able to prevent the disease with the right treatment. 

If your plant is infected with the fungal leaf spot, then you will observe the small black dots on the leaves that are surrounded by the white halos. The tissues of the plant will collapse and there will be holes. Also, you will observe yellow-colored leaves in the plant that are drooping and falling off. It is not a good sign for the plant.

Also, if there is doubt in your mind, then you can take a sample of the leaf and get it checked at the local garden center so that the diagnosis lets me know if there is a bacterial infection or fungal infection caused in the plant. 

What Does Bacterial Leaf Spot on Pothos Look Like?

Now is the right time to know what the bacterial leaf spot on the pothos looks like. There are various symptoms that you will observe such as small and accurate sports on the leaves. Then they may be circular or elongated and surrounded by a yellow halo.  

When the bacteria spread more in the plant, then the leaves pot becomes larger, so let’s get started to know what it looks like. Below are the points to look after: 

• Yellowing or browning of leaves
• Formation of spots on leaves
• Wilting of leaves
• Premature death of affected leaves
• Spread of infection 

Let’s begin to know more about them: 

Yellowing or Browning of Leaves

• Yellow-colored leaves in the plant are one of the common symptoms that you will observe if your plant is being infected by the bacterial leaf spot.
• They may be small at the beginning, but when the bacteria spread in the plant, they become larger and cover the whole area of the leaf.
• It even tends to leave a greasy look on the leaves. 

Formation of Spots on Leaves

• You will observe the formation of circular spots on the leaves that cause irregular shapes on the leaves.
• The spots can be brown, yellow, or black.
• They also leave a greasy appearance or water-soaked appearance on the leaves. 

Wilting of Leaves

• Wilting of leaves is one of the common issues that are faced by the plant.
• Bacterial leaf spots tend to cause wilting of leaves in the plant. 
• It tends to damage the vascular tissue in the plant which will disturb the flow of the water in the plant.
• Plants will not be able to receive enough nutrients to grow well. 

Premature Death of Affected Leaves

• If you do not check your plants daily, then it will cause the premature death of the affected leaves in the plant.
• It will weaken for each of the plants and the leaves will begin to turn yellow and brown. 
• After that, you will observe the falling or drooping of the leaves. 

Spread of Infection

• Last, but not least, it will spread the infection in the plant wholly.
• The bacteria can be spread in the plant by the wind, insects, and water, or may be in contact with the infected material.
• You will see that when the bacteria spreads, it will damage more and more leaves in the plant.

Causes Of Bacterial Leaf Spot Disease

As you know houseplants will not be more dangerous as compared to outdoor plants because plants are more prone to bacterial leaf spots.  

So if you have placed both those plants outdoors in a dry environment, then you have to look after the plant because it is almost possible that it is being infected by the bacterial leaf spot which is common nowadays. 

Below are the causes that will tell you about the spread of the bacterial leaf spot on pothos: 

• Poor airflow in your plant will lead to the bacterial leaf spot.
• If the leaves are wet, as you are watering your plant from above, it will cause an infection.
• Providing the plant with warm and humid climatic conditions.
• If the soil remains wet for so long.
• Keeping your plant in contact with the infected plant.
• When the plant is in the weekend climatic conditions. 

How Do You Prevent Bacterial Leaf Spot on Pothos?

As you know prevention is better than cure so you have to better prevent the issues in the plant before it spreads more. so have a look at the below preventions that will help you in the removal of bacterial leaf spots on pothos. They are as follows: 

• Avoid overwatering
• Allow soil to dry out between waterings
• Keep the plant in a well-ventilated area 
• Avoid Splashing Water on the Leaves
• Keep the plant away from the other plants 
• Quarantine New plants 

Let’s get started to know about them in more detail. 

Avoid Overwatering

• Overwatering is one of the main causes that tend to ruin the growth of the plant.
• This is because it will cause excess moisture in the soil, which will cause bacterial infections in the plant.
• Prevent this and water the plant only when the top inches of the soil are dry.
• Check the moisture of the soil by putting your finger inside the soil and if it feels dry, then only you have to water the plant.
• Also, choose a pot that has a good amount of drainage holes as it will help in retaining the excess moisture from the plant. 

Allow Soil to Dry Out Between Waterings

• I always suggest in my previous articles that allow the soil to dry itself between the waterings.
• It will not let the bacteria harm the plant. So you will be able to prevent the bacterial Leaf spot on the pothos.

Keep the Plant in a Well-Ventilated Area

• As you know if you provide a plant with a good flow of air, it is the best prevention for the plant’s growth.
• So, provide a good ventilation area to your plant so that it allows moisture to evaporate from the leaves.
• Either you can place them in the open area or you can provide them with the room to grow in. 
• Keep in mind that you’re not keeping the plant altogether as it will block the airflow in the plants. 

Avoid Splashing Water on the Leaves

• It is one of the common mistakes that are made by the gardeners because they tend to splash the water on the leaves which causes infections in the plant.
• So when you are watering the plant, do not splash water on the leaves directly.
• It will help in preventing the spread of bacteria, or in moist climatic conditions, it will happen otherwise.
• Dry the leaves so that the moisture does not build upon the plant leaves. 

Keep the Plant Away from Other Plants

• If your plant is infected with the bacteria leaf spot, then You have to keep the plant away from the other plants.
• It will help in preventing the bacteria spread.
• It is because if the bacterial plant is less, then the other plants will be saved. 

Quarantine New Plants

• Last, but not reach preventing the bacterial leaf spot on your plant. You have to quarantine the new plants for some time.
• This is because it will not spread the infections to the new plants. So you have to restrict yourself from introducing new plants to your collection.
• You can make a separate place for the new plants and another place for the infected ones to observe the illness. 

Summing up the context

In this guide, you come to know that  Pothos is one of the varieties that is scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum. It tends to produce great foliage in the plant. It is used in various offices, homes, restaurants, and indoor locations to brighten up the area. Its heart structure leaves in the shade of gold,  white, and green tend to amaze you. 

Sometimes you might observe that there are dark spots on the leaves but what are they? Though there can be several things that lead to the dark spot, the main one is the bacterial leaf spot. Read the guide so that you come to know about the best prevention for your plant. 

Thanks for reading! Happy Gardening! 

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