How to Identify and Treat Powdery Mildew Fungus on Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Have you noticed holes, tatty edges and missing patches on your cherry laurel leaves? You think it looks like a caterpillar or beetle has been a’munching, but you can’t spot the pest?

The most common cause of damage like this on cherry laurel leaves is actually a powdery mildew fungus infection.

Symptoms of powdery mildew infection on cherry laurel are somewhat unusual for a powdery mildew infection. I’ll show you how to confirm powdery mildew fungus on cherry laurel and portuguese laurel on your plant. I’ll also show you the key distinctions between powdery mildew fungal infection and two common look-a-like problems, vine weevil damage and bacterial shot hole infection.

Then, I’ll show you the key steps you can take to ensure your cherry laurel tree, shrub or hedge stays healthy.

⌚ Timestamps

00:00 Powdery mildew fungus on cherry laurel leaf symptoms
00:51 White fungal growth under the leaf
01:12 Corky brown scars under the leaf
01:51 Compare with vine weevil damage
02:32 Compare with bacterial shot hole
03:14 Cure #1: Boost vigour with watering
03:56 Cure #2: Boost vigour with mulching
04:18 Cure #3: Don’t use hedge trimmers on infected plants
05:04 Cure #4: What about fungicides and natural remedies?

Please note: Thoughts shared in this video are my personal opinions. I'm not paid any money to promote the gardening products I talk about or use in this video.

Wishing you healthy plants and happy gardening! 🌸