Sooty mold is a fungal growth often found on plants infested with honeydew-producing insects, such as aphids and scales. The fungus does not attack the plant but simply grows on the honeydew. Sooty mold typically causes little damage to plants, though it may become an aesthetic problem. Very heavy mold coverings on leaves can interfere with photosynthesis and cause some plant decline.

Management Options

Non-Chemical Management

Control insect pests which secrete honeydew, including aphids, cottony camellia scale, and brown soft scale.
Wash honeydew from plants with a strong stream of water. Choose a time when leaves will dry quickly.
Hand-wipe leaves to remove extremely heavy coverings of sooty mold.

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

None recommended

Images

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Caption: Camellia sooty mold (black mold) Photo by: R.S. Byther

WSU Extension

Hortsense