Natural Remedies for Black Spots on Tomato Plants

Blossom End Rot

• Blossom end rot will appear on the blossom end of tomatoes. They will appear first as tan, watery lesions that will eventually darken in to a black, leathery patch, which can spread to infect the rest of the tomato. Treat blossom end rot by maintaining a regular irrigation schedule. Remove afflicted fruit immediately, and dispose of it properly.

Tomato Spotted Wilt

• Tomato spotted wilt will produce dark brown, black and purplish colored spots and splotches on the leaves of the tomato plant. It can spread to the stem of the plant. Over time, the entire plant will become afflicted and will show signs of wilting. There is no treatment for spotted wilt. Remove afflicted plants immediately, and do not compost the plant.

Early Blight

• Early blight produces brown to black spots with a target-like pattern of concentric rings on the leaves of the tomato plant. If left untreated, the disease will also affect the stems and fruit of the tomato plant. The leaves will yellow and drop when they have died. Treatment requires you to cut off any afflicted portion of the plant and dispose of the plant. Removing extra plant debris and organic material can help prevent the spreading and development of early blight.

Stink Bugs

• Stink bugs attack the fruit of the tomato plant. They feed on the nectar of the fruit cells, and produce small, dark holes and circles on the fruit. The dark spots are ringed with a lighter discolored area that is bronze in color and hard textured. The area will remain yellowed and dark even after the fruit has ripened. The area by the spots will be spongy and white inside and will remain hard even after the tomato is fully ripe. Treat stink bugs by using a natural pesticide on the fruit, such as neem oil spray. Spray once every week for heavy infestations and again after heavy rainfalls.