Southern Blight (Crown Rot)
Crown rot, southern stem rot or southern blight are different names for the same disease. Infected plants develop yellow leaves that eventually collapse and die. A close look at the crown of the plant reveals rotting tissue.
Crown rot lives in the soil and makes its way into new areas on flowing water or contaminated soil, plants and tools.
Remove and destroy infected plants as soon as they are found. Dig out and replace the soil around the infected plants at least 8 inches deep and 6 inches beyond the infected area. Be careful not to drop infected soil onto other parts of the garden.
Sterilize tools for ten minutes in a one-part bleach to 9 parts water solution.
Leave southern blight infected gardens fallow for at least a year. Or solarize the soil for 2 to 3 months in the summer to kill this and other disease organisms.
A bit more information: You may also notice coarse cottony webbing at the base of the plant and on the surrounding soil during periods of high humidity. See Missouri Botanical Garden’s Crown Rot of Perennials for help identifying this disease.
Related
Audio
Video
Article
Categories
Upcoming
Events & Webinars
April 18, 2026
3rd Annual Spring Rally
Oshkosh, WI
Register here
April 19, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
More information
April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL
April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space
Register here
May 7, 2026
Wauwatosa Public Library
Wauwatosa, WI
Register (opens 4/16, 9am)
May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
Register here
May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
Register here
June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind
Register here
June 10, 2026
Enjoy Life Active Aging Symposium
Brookfield, WI
More information
July 9, 2026
Ebert's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Ixonia, WI
August 6-16, 2026
Wisconsin State Fair
We Energies Energy Park, West Allis, WI
Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Tree Planting and Care
Register here
Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
Register here
Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
MORE UPCOMING EVENT DETAILS
Book an Appearance
Sign up for Melinda's free e-newsletter for a chance to win a Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide!
ENTER NOW
