If you’ve spotted a weird white coating on your cherry laurel, you’re likely dealing with a fungal infection. Don’t panic, though! In this post, I’ll walk you through how to identify exactly what’s going on and how to kick that fungus to the curb. With the right approach, your cherry laurel will be back to its healthy, vibrant self in no time.
How to Spot Powdery Mildew
The most common culprit behind that white film is mildew. There are actually two types to watch out for: powdery mildew and downy mildew. Both usually start with a light, fuzzy growth on the underside of the leaves. It looks a lot like a dusting of flour or a heavy morning dew—hence the name. Eventually, you’ll see discoloration on the tops of the leaves, and the tissue will slowly start to die off. If you don’t step in, it can really take a toll on your plant’s overall health.
Mildew usually pops up during specific times of the year because it loves consistent moisture to spread. If you catch it early and it’s only on a few branches, you can often manage it just by pruning those sections off. If it has already spread, you’ll need to be a bit more aggressive, but either way, your first step should always be cutting away the infected parts.
Getting Rid of That White Coating for Good
You can certainly use commercial fungicides to tackle the fungus, but if you’re like me and prefer to keep the harsh chemicals out of your garden, there are some great natural DIY options. Old-school remedies like onion or garlic sprays work surprisingly well. Just spray the mixture over the entire plant for several days in a row.
Try these natural fixes:
- Garlic spray
- Onion spray
- Neem oil
A quick pro-tip: when you’re pruning those infected branches, wear gardening gloves. This helps prevent you from accidentally spreading the spores to other plants via your hands. Also, never toss those infected clippings onto your compost pile! The mildew can survive there and reinfect your garden later when you spread the compost. Instead, burn the clippings or seal them in bags and put them in the trash.
