White spot on mint leaves

Mizzli

Hi everybody,

My mint has finally decided to bush out after much worry but the leaves have white spots on them.  I've had a quick inspection and can't see any infestation plus the basil and parsley pots look alright (i.e. no spots on them) and they are next to each other.

Here's an example I found of what it looks like:

 I've checked around and can't see any insects plus the neighbouring pots of basil and parsley are not showing similar signs.

Does anyone have any advice?

I have also bought this bug spray from B&Q http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/garden-care-watering/pest-weed-control/insect_control/-specificproducttype-insect___bug_control/Bug-Clear-Ultra-Gun-750Ml-33-Free-11907627 but abit hesitatnt on using it incase I poison myself.  I heard soap and water works just as well.  Does anyone have any advice?

 

Many thanks!

 

 

 

Dovefromabove

Hi Mizzli  Can you try to post the pic again please - click on the little tree on the toolbar and you'll get the instructions.

Mizzli

Hi Dovefromabove,

Thanks for your post - I noticed half my post was cut off when I submitted it. It's happened quite a few times now when I have created a post.  Must be a bug!

Mizzli

Thats a similar image I found on Google but will post one up of my mint leave when I get home later this evening!

Dovefromabove

I don't think it's an infestation - it might be a deficiency in the soil - do I remember that this mint got a bit waterlogged?  Have you potted it on recently and now it's bushing out and growing well?  

I really wouldn't worry about it - it's really hard to kill mint, particularly at this time of year.  Don't spray it with anything as I presume you're going to eat your mint.  I think it'll grow out of it  and even if it doesn't it's not a problem - there are some variegated mints so it might have a bit of variagation in its DNA.

Mizzli

Hi Dovefromabove,

Thanks for your advice.  I think my mint was over crowded and growing from the kitchen windowsill.  I bought it from a supermarket with four plants in one pot and it began to get leggy.  Afterwards I repotted it and split then put it outside and it has grown relatively well again - except for the white spots!  I will post up a picture of them tonight when I get back!

Thanks again.

Mizzli

Finally got a pic of my mint leaves: 

If it's a deficiency in the soil, do I need to add anything like supplements? It was repotted not that long ago.

 

Lordswood

Hi Mizzli

I think the white spots are physical damage perhaps caused by hail. The young leaves which have emerged perhaps after the hail storm look to be unaffected.

Quite a few of my plants look very similar. The white spots took a few days to appear after the hail, but I have seen it before.

Mary 2232

I have the same white spots on all my mint  plants.  The cat-nip has leaves that have white spots and the whole leaves are ghost like. I live in California and these plants have never had hail.  All plants are in pots, all got spots at about the same time this year.

kuppa

Hi,

was wondering if the original issue is resolved. my mint plant is having the exact same issue. it doesn't look like aphids, mildew or bugs. i got a basil  plant last week and potted it (using a different organic potting soil than the mint) and its leaves also have started having white spots. I keep both the plants in my balcony with some shade. I have been carefully watering the plants every day over the leaves too but unable to find the root cause of this. anybody has any ideas?

thanks!

debs64

Could it be thrips? Are there any little insects around the plant? I lost all my herbs to thrips last year so hope it isn't.