Knowledgebase
white or bleached spots on tomato leaves #869377
Asked May 20, 2024, 10:17 PM EDT
Lamoille County Vermont
Expert Response
Hi Ed,
Thank you for contacting the UVM Master Gardener Helpline and providing excellent photos. Kudos to you for selecting varieties of tomatoes are very flavorful!
I consulted with Dr. Ann Hazelrigg who is the Director of the UVM Plants Diagnostic Clinic and she diagnosed the white spots/brown spotting as an abiotic injury associated with cold damage. An abiotic injury is an issue caused by environmental conditions and not a pest or disease. Either the plants were subjected to cold soils or cold temps. There is no need to worry - the affected plants will grow out of it just fine. Regarding the weird discoloration of the leaf, it is a genetic abnormality. Some cultivars are prone to this and it is not certain why. Luckily, it does not affect the health of the plant.
Additional links for further information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/key-common-problems-tomatoes/
I hope this helps and happy gardening!