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Squash plants get white powdery substane on leaves, then die #895892

Asked March 30, 2025, 4:57 PM EDT

Over the last several years in different planting beds, my squash plants (zucchini and butternut) start off beautiful and lush. Then I notice a white powdery substance on the leaves and the plants begin to die without yielding much if anything at all.  I want to try again this year but I do not know what I'm dealing with.

Van Buren County Michigan

Expert Response

The problem with your Squash plants appears to be powdery mildew. Powdery mildew presents as a white powdery growth on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves and on the plant stems. Powdery mildew on Squash plants is caused by two primary fungal pathogens, Podosphaera xanthii and Erysiphe cichoracearum. Fungal spores are spread by the wind. This fungal disease is common in warm weather and can be destructive in dry as well as hot seasons. It can grow rapidly with high humidity but, unlike many other plant fungi, is not encouraged by wet foliage.


Powdery mildew can be managed by planting varieties of Squash plants that are resistant to plant pathogens. Space the plants to provide adequate air circulation around plants or grow the Squash plants on a trellis. Cleaning up diseased leaves and disposing of the leaves, do not compost the infected leaves. At the end of the growing season clean up all plant debris and do not allow the diseased plant to over winter in the garden. Apply a fungicide labeled for use on powdery mildew at the first sign of an infestation. As with any fungicide make sure to read and follow the label directions.


More information on powdery mildew can be found in this article from the University of Minnesota Extension: Powdery mildew of cucurbits | UMN Extension


Thank you for your question and have a great gardening experience.


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