Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Annuals and Perennials > Petunia > Leaves wilt and turn brown
Petunia > Leaves > Leaves wilt and turn brown
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Black Root Rot
Thielaviopsis basicola
- Leaves turn yellow and wilt; leaf veins may remain green
- Plants are stunted
- Dark sunken black lesions occur on roots
- Stems below ground may develop black longitudinal cracks
- More information on root rot
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White Mold
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
- Leaves on the entire plant or single branch wilt and turn brown
- Stems turn tan to off-white where infected
- Fluffy, white cotton-like fungal growth may been seen growing on the discolored stem when humidity is high
- Small (1/16 to ½ inch), black, hard, round to irregular fungal resting structures can be found clinging to the outside an infected stem or embedded inside dead stems
- More information on white mold
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Gray Mold
Botrytis cinerea
- Large brown spots or blotches on leaves
- Leaves or entire plant may be completely blighted, brown, and wilted
- Blossoms or petals may turn brown and drop off prematurely
- Gray fuzzy mold develops on rotted tissue under humid conditions
- Disease develops during cool, wet weather
- More information on Gray Mold
