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leaf damage cause? houseplant #920440
Asked October 22, 2025, 1:11 PM EDT
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
Dear Lisa,
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YOUR QUESTION #0190356:
leaf damage cause? houseplant
I am doing some plant care at a local care facility and I am wondering what caused this leaf damage (attached photo.) The plant is in a SW facing windeow with other potted plants next to it- including a peace lily and a small palm.Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States.
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Hello and thank you for your inquiry. We are looking into your plant concerns and will reply soon.
Dear Lisa,
Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. Questions are usually answered within two business days. You can view this question's progress online.
YOUR QUESTION #0190356:
leaf damage cause? houseplant
I am doing some plant care at a local care facility and I am wondering what caused this leaf damage (attached photo.) The plant is in a SW facing windeow with other potted plants next to it- including a peace lily and a small palm.Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States.
If you wish to provide additional comments or information regarding the issue, please login to your account for a complete archive of your prior questions and answers.
This message for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalized professional advice. For specific local information, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office or other qualified professionals. eXtension Foundation does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, professional services, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by eXtension Foundation, employees, suppliers, member universities, or other third parties through eXtension is solely at the user's own risk. All eXtension content and communication is subject to the Terms of Use which may be revised at any time.
Please give me more information about your plant. How long has the plant been in this location? How much sun does it get per day? How often is it watered? fertilized? Have you noticed any insects on the leaves? Be sure to look under the leaves also. Check the leaves and stems for any yellow bumps or white, sticky, cottony bumps.
Could you send me a couple of photos of your plant? Take one of the entire plant and a couple of clear pictures of the leaves. The one you sent is a little out of focus, and I am having trouble getting a good identification. I think it may be a pothos (Epipremnum aureum). Also, the markings on the leaves are not clear enough to tell if there are bumps on the leaves or stray marks. If this is a pothos plant, it doesn't tolerate bright sunlight well. Rather, it likes filtered light and high humidity.
I do believe that this is insect damage. Some insects are so tiny that they're difficult to see except for the damage they cause. Here are common insects that affect house plants:
~Spider mites: Tiny, hard-to-see creatures that leave fine webbing on leaves and cause stippling damage; often the most common culprit for pothos leaf damage.
~Earwigs: These insects can create irregular holes in the leaves with ragged edges.
~Mealybugs: White, cottony masses found on the stems and undersides of leaves.
~Scales: Tiny, hard insects that can look like bumps on the leaves.
Here are some steps you can take to help the plant:
~Inspect your plant carefully: Look closely for any signs of insects, including eggs, larvae, or exoskeletons.
~Isolate the plant: I would strongly recommend this. If this is a pest infestation, other plants in the area are at risk.
~Use insecticidal soap or neem oil: While I don't recommend the use of an insecticide unless we know what the insect is, neem oil and insecticidal soap are
safe to use on plants if label directions are carefully followed.
The plant may also have a fungus. I see what looks like a white film on a leaf, which could be powdery mildew. I have included the following resources that discuss the various problems indoor plants can have.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/why-is-my-indoor-plant-unhappy
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/pothos-epipremmum-aureum/
Please let me know if this information addresses your problem, but don't hesitate to contact me again if you have questions or need more information. As I stated earlier, I am not 100% confident of my identification of your plant, so any more information you can provide will be helpful.
Thank you, and I will look forward to your reply.
