How To Control Powdery Mildew on Garden Phlox

by Amanda

At some point or another, many of us have experienced a gorgeous Garden Phlox inundated with powdery mildew. It can be heartbreaking! The best way to help prevent this is to plant disease-resistant varieties, which are less prone to certain strains of powdery mildew, and to take preventative measures in your garden for existing plants. If you’re struggling with powdery mildew on your plants, here are some tips for prevention and natural treatment that is safe for kids, pets, and pollinators.

The colorful, low-growing perennial groundcover Creeping Phlox does not have issues with powdery mildew or other fungal diseases.

In general, the best method of controlling powdery mildew is prevention. Once the disease shows up there isn’t a whole lot you can do to “cure” it, so putting in a little extra work ahead of time will give you a much better chance of keeping your plants disease-free throughout the season.

Control Powdery Mildew: Plant Disease-Resistant Varieties

Many gorgeous and vibrant Phlox plants have been bred to resist the fungal strains that form mildew. Indigo-to-violet blooming 'Blue Flame' Phlox, cheerful 'Forever Pink' Phlox, fragrant purple 'Goliath' and pure white 'David' Phlox, are great examples of naturally disease resistant varieties that are less prone to certain strains of powdery mildew.

That said, if you're planting Phlox in an area prone to lots of moisture (like the hot and humid southeast), you'll want to take preventative measures to prevent the spread of fungus, regardless of the plant's claims of immunity.

Why Grow Non Disease-Resistant Phlox?

Although disease-resistant Phlox may be the best choice for some, not all gardeners are looking to plant these varieties in the garden. Some may have fallen in love with a certain cultivar, especially if it holds sentimental nostalgia, like having been grown in grandma's flower garden.

Others grow phlox in the cutting garden for flower arrangements, and may have grown attached to varieties that yield colors and flowerhead sizes that look great in the vase. Many have inherited their gardens and with them, phlox varieties that aren't disease resistant.

A common story in many climates is that powdery mildew rarely forms, except for in heavy rainfall seasons or through long spells of heat and humidity.

If controlling powdery mildew only becomes an issue every five years, there's not a ton of motivation to pull your plants and start all over.

Regardless of your reasons for having non-resistant cultivars, there are plenty of easy ways to prevent powdery mildew from forming on your plants.

Control Powdery Mildew: Thin The Plants

One of the main reasons Phlox (and other perennials) get powdery mildew is due to poor air circulation; moving air stops the spread of fungus, as does exposure to sunlight. Poor air circulation is most often caused by plants multiplying, sending up close-together shoots and becoming overcrowded - which creates the perfect conditions for mildews to spread.

The solution is easy: in the beginning of the season, as shoots start to emerge, use a pruner to eliminate about ⅓ of the shoots so that the remaining plants have plenty of room to breathe. This air circulation should help prevent disease from overtaking the plant.

Control Powdery Mildew: Spray Before The Disease Shows Up

If your plants have had powdery mildew in past seasons, use a homemade preventative spray before the disease shows up. Spray weekly on the undersides of foliage, especially when you know there is going to be especially humid or damp weather.

Powdery mildew is caused by a handful of different fungal strains. When shopping for a pre-made spray, look for a botanical 'fungicide'. Or, for a pet and kid-friendly solution, try the recipe below.

Natural Homemade Preventative Spray:

Mix together:

• 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
• ½ Teaspoon Liquid Soap (We recommend an all-natural soap such as Seventh Generation)
• 1 Gallon Water

Place this in a spray bottle and use when needed on the undersides of plants to prevent powdery mildew.

Control Powdery Mildew: How To Identify Powdery Mildew

Even if you’ve done all of these preventative measures, sometimes powdery mildew is just inevitable on some plants. Before we get into controlling the disease, let’s talk about identifying powdery mildew. Plants with this disease typically:

• Have white spots on the leaves and stems of the plants.
• Have a white dusting all over the plant that resembles flour.
• The leaves will turn yellow, dry out, and fall off.

Once you’ve seen powdery mildew in your garden, chances are you’ll be able to spot it with certainty the next time around.

Control Powdery Mildew: Caring For Plants With Powdery Mildew

As soon as you identify your plant to have powdery mildew, it’s best to take swift action to help keep it from spreading. There are two common ways to help prevent the disease from completely killing your plant or overtaking other plants:

1. Remove all infected parts of the plant and destroy them. Do not compost them or toss them anywhere near your existing gardens. If you used pruners or other tools to cut the plant back, thoroughly wash them with a mixture of bleach and water (using ten parts water to one part bleach).
2. Spray infected plants with an all natural, organic fungicide. This method can help alleviate some of the disease, but you may have to cut back the plant anyway if it doesn’t go away completely.

Powdery mildew can be a gardener’s worst enemy, but it doesn’t have to be! Remember, the easiest way to prevent powdery mildew is to plant disease-resistant varieties and work on prevention in the garden. With a little work and smart planning, you (and the butterflies) will be able to enjoy your Phlox all summer long.