Fungal diseases can begin with a small white spot on a leaf. Over several days, this powdery coating may spread, black spots may appear, the soil may become covered in mold, and a seemingly healthy plant may start to wilt. In India's warm and humid climate, fungal infections can develop very rapidly, making early intervention paramount.
Eka Choudhary, a researcher and entrepreneur from Mumbai, possesses deep knowledge of plants that extends beyond the pot or balcony. Before founding Garden Up, she spent nearly ten years studying ecology, including nutrient dynamics in the soil of South Indian forests and sustainable farming methods among communities in the Himalayas. She later earned a PhD from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.
Today, she applies her research experience to everyday gardening, helping people understand the signals their plants are sending and how to respond to them. Regarding fungus, she shared the following recommendations.
A common problem in Indian gardens
Eka explains that fungi, or fungus in the plural, can negatively affect plants. She notes that there are both beneficial and harmful types of fungi. Harmful species gradually deplete the plant's vitality, making it weak, yellowing, and eventually killing it.
Symptoms can vary depending on the plant. One might notice a white powdery coating on leaves, black spots often affecting roses, or fuzzy mold on cucumbers. Sometimes fungal growth appears as a white layer directly on the soil, accompanied by a strong odor. However, according to her, there is no need to panic, as such infections are common in tropical climates. She emphasizes that in warm, humid, or tropical regions, fungal growth is a natural occurrence.
Not all fungi behave the same way
Some fungal diseases remain on the surface of the leaves, while others act slowly underground. Eka asserts that each type of fungus affects plants differently. Some cause leaf wilting, while others spread across them, hindering the plant's normal photosynthesis.
There is also root rot. She describes root fungus as a known destroyer that blocks the pathway for water distribution in plants and impedes their growth. As roots decompose, the plant struggles to transport water through the system, which weakens it over time.
When neem oil is not enough
Neem oil is Eka's preferred remedy for many common plant problems. Nevertheless, fungal infections require a more serious approach. For powdery mildew, especially on cucumbers, she advises using a simple homemade spray made by mixing one cup of milk with four cups of water. When sprayed directly onto affected leaves, the proteins in the milk inhibit fungal growth.
Although vinegar is another remedy often mentioned by gardeners, she cautions beginners against its use. She does not recommend vinegar because its high acidity can destroy or burn the plant. For infections that do not disappear, she suggests applying a commercial concentrate containing inactivated microbes. This should be mixed with water and sprayed on affected plants once a week until the fungus disappears. Even after the infection clears, monthly application helps maintain plant health.
Sometimes pruning is the best solution
Fungal infections do not always disappear after a single treatment. Eka notes that some fungi survive treatment and remain hidden in the soil or on the plants themselves. If only a few leaves or stems are brown or yellow, it is sufficient to remove these damaged parts. However, if the fungus has spread throughout the plant, she advises removing it before neighboring plants can become infected. She acknowledges that seeing such an infected plant is painful, especially white mold, but it is done for the good of the other plants.
One watering habit worth changing
To prevent fungal infections, one simple gardening habit needs to change. Fungus thrives in moist environments. Eka has often observed gardeners watering leaves and stems, believing it helps the plant. In reality, plants absorb water through their roots, not their leaves. In already damp areas, wet foliage creates ideal conditions for fungal spread. Watering the roots instead of wetting the leaves, detecting infections promptly, and treating them before they spread can save a plant from serious damage. As Eka's advice shows, healthy gardens are built not on complex tricks, but on understanding the needs of each plant and reacting before a small problem turns into a big one.
