The curse of the mottled leaves

[Marb67]

Well here I am again with the mysterious leaf mottling of lemon balm, mint and basil. For the life of me I just don't know what this is but makes what were healthy, lush green leaves a few weeks ago into scrappy, unappetizing and unsightly.

[veggiechicken]

Mine look like that too. I take revenge by cutting them down to a branching point and they'll sprout and bush up even more.

[greenishfing]

Marb, are you a pessimist? If my plants looked like that I 'd think 'Oh I watered them when the sun was shining, they look a bit sunburned' and not worry about them. Maybe I am too much of an optimist. My husband says I am! I'd just presume they would recover. Of course, on occasion, he has been right to worry but I just don't bother. If they are alive they'll probably be okay in the end....

[Scarlet]

They look like that because you didn't use them when they were looking fab!! If you keep cutting them they reward you with healthy leaves.

[veggiechicken]

I have to say that its a great title for a thread or a horror film - like "The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb".

[Marb67]

The curse continues with sage too!

[Marb67]

Marb, are you a pessimist? If my plants looked like that I 'd think 'Oh I watered them when the sun was shining, they look a bit sunburned' and not worry about them. Maybe I am too much of an optimist. My husband says I am! I'd just presume they would recover. Of course, on occasion, he has been right to worry but I just don't bother. If they are alive they'll probably be okay in the end....

Def NOT sunburn as the leaves (on all affected plants) have paper thing eaten leaf at close inspection which creates the tissue thing look. Some of the plants affected were watered in shade.

[Marb67]

More scrappy, cra**y pathetically pale mints despite giving them the correct soil and conditions on the label. Different varieties (one spearmint) , different nurseries so why can't I grow mint ? A seemingly simple, invasive plant

[SarrissUK]

It might just be that you've only just watered, but that looks sodden wet to me. No plant wants to be that wet all the time. I'd say... let them dry out a bit more in between waterings, and cut them more often! All leaves will eventually get knocks and spots so just use more, and more will grow

[Marb67]

Aaaaand yet again,the healthy green plants (Coriander and Cat Mint) are turning mottled. Not watering in sun, only from under pot. For the life of me I don't know what causes this.

[Jungle Jane]

Those white specks are leafhopper damage,they suck sap from the leaves etc the nymphs are wingless,they might be found on the undersides of leaves. Give the plant a little ruffle see if anything jumps out,like a leafhopper,I usually have them around my potatoes & something else leafy,I wonder if any plants repel them,maybe French marigolds I don’t know?