Sooty Mold (Black Mold)
Saprophytic fungi
2 host plants
Last updated
Dark brown to black powdery fungal growth covers camellia leaves and stems, making plants unsightly. This saprophytic fungus feeds on honeydew from scale insects, not the plant itself. It rarely causes harm beyond aesthetic loss. Control cottony camellia and soft brown scales to eliminate the honeydew source. Hand-wipe leaves if desired or wash with a strong water spray when leaves dry quickly.
Good sanitation is your most effective tool against sooty mold (black mold). Remove and dispose of infected plant material, clean up fallen debris, and sterilize your pruning tools between plants. Reduce leaf wetness by watering at soil level and spacing plants for adequate air movement. These practices reduce the pathogen load in your garden over successive seasons.
Quick Reference
Management
Cultural Controls
- Control the scale insects.
- Consult the PNW Insect Management Handbook.
- If desired, hand wipe leaves to remove extremely heavy coverings of sooty mold.
- Wash honeydew from plants with a strong stream of water.
- Choose a time when leaves will dry quickly.
- Reference Gills, I.M. and Glawe, D.A. 2008.