Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don has shared his expert advice on how to tackle black spot on roses, as the weather in the UK becomes more damp and warm
08:33, 05 Sep 2025Updated 08:35, 05 Sep 2025
Monty Don’s advice for black spot on roses is relevant now, due to the changing weather (Image: Colin McPherson, Corbis via Getty Images)
Monty Don has provided his expert advice on dealing with black spot on roses. Black spot is a fungal infection that causes dark patches to appear on the leaves and stems of rose bushes. The impacted foliage frequently yellows and drops off as autumn draws near.
The respected 70-year-old Gardeners’ World presenter explained how to manage black spot, indicating it comes down to individual tolerance levels.
He recommended: “A lot of plants get black spot, but it doesn’t affect the flowering and doesn’t affect the health of the plant. It’s just unsightly and that, personally, I can tolerate.
“If it’s defoliating completely, if a plant is suffering and looking bad, and other roses near it are not suffering from it, then that’s because the plant is particularly prone to it, so just get rid of it.”
Nevertheless, if all your roses are impacted by black spot, Monty cautioned: “You’ve got a problem.”
Fungal disease black spot is caused by Diplocarpon rosae(Image: matunka via Getty Images)
With conditions becoming “more warm and damp”, due to rain and an upcoming ‘Indian summer’, he alerted gardeners to anticipate “more fungal problems, not less”.
During the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast, he suggested his main tip for eliminating black spot. He said: “The only practical thing you can do is, don’t water overhead. You can’t stop the rain, but don’t wet the leaves, keep the leaves dry.
“So water at the base, gather up all the affected leaves that drop and burn them, don’t put them on the compost.”
Monty went on to offer additional guidance for maintaining gardens as winter draws closer. “In winter, rake the ground around the plant thoroughly to disturb the spores. Leave it bare over the winter months, then mulch it thickly in early spring,” he advised.
“And the cold, if we get a really cold snap, that will affect the spores that will be in the ground.
“But, the truth is, if you live with roses, you live with it to a certain extent.”
Apply FungicidesUse a rose-safe fungicide labeled for black spot. Common options include products containing chlorothalonil, myclobutanil, or neem oil.Apply according to label instructions, usually every 7–14 days during the growing season, especially after rain.Use natural remediesNeem oil: Acts as both a preventive and treatment.Homemade spray: Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon horticultural oil, and 1 quart water. Spray weekly.MulchApply a fresh layer of mulch around the base of the rose to prevent soil (and fungal spores) from splashing onto the leaves.Choose Resistant VarietiesWhen planting new roses, select varieties bred for disease resistance.
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