Mint is a very popular type of plant that has plenty of uses. Mint does not usually refer to a single plant. In fact, mint actually has a number of different species. For instance, both spearmint and peppermint are species of mint.
Unlike other plants, Mint has a unique type of property which is its cooling sensation. That is precisely why it is widely used in many ways. Apart from being used in salads and sauces, mint is also used as a flavor in many drinks, beverages, teas, and other food products. One of its most common use is in chewing gums.
White Spots on Mint Leaves
Many people who don’t have much knowledge about planting have noticed a weird behavior on their mint plants. All of the mint leaves have a few white spots on them. This has made them concerned about whether they should even use the plants or not.
These white spots definitely mean trouble, at least most of the time. Through this article, we will be explaining exactly what these white spots mean. So, without wasting any time further, let’s take a look at why white spots appear on these leaves.
Why Do I Have White Spots on My Plant?
Having white spots on the leaves of your plant usually refer to either spider mite or thrip damage. While it can also mean a simple deficiency of soil, it is quite rare. Both can prove to be problematic. However, what you need to understand is that you will have to determine which one of the two you’re facing. Once you have, only then can you effectively get rid of the problem.
Similarly, you will first have to learn about the differences between spider mite and thrip damage.
The Difference Between Spider mite and Thrip Damage:
While spider mite and thrip damage are two completely different things, the biggest difference between spider mites and thrip damage is how the white marks appear on your leaves. In the case of spider mites, the white marks should appear on the veins and rib part of the leaves.
However, if it is thrip damage, the white marks will appear randomly. The reason behind it is because mites live inside the leaves of your plants. On the other hand, thrips move and fly around the leaves all the time.
How to Get Rid of Them?
When trying to get rid of either of them, spider mites are much harder to kill. You can get rid of thrips by performing a repeated set of treatments. If the infestation has not spread much, you can simply use a water hose to wash off some of the infestations. However, spider mites can even develop resistance which can make them very hard to kill.
Both of them can be treated separately, but only when you have confirmed that the leaves have spider mite, thrip damage, or neither.
The Bottom Line
Do you have white spots on your mint leaves? If so, then we highly suggest reading this article. Through the article, you should be able to learn all about these white spots, which should then help you learn how you can get rid of them.