Mint plant keeps getting this white fuzz- how to handle?

[cruiserandmax]

I have a mint plant in a sunny window that has been continuously growing great for 6 months or so... However it contionously develops this white fuzz on the leaves- it is not just dust since the plants sitting next to it don't get this stuff. If I ignore it, eventually all the leaves get completely covered with this stuff... It rinses of with water easily, so cutting rinsing the leaves works. But rinsing the whole plant gets to be kind of a pain.

Can anyone tell what this is and any good way of preventing it in the first place?

Thanks for looking!!

 

[cpp gardener]

You have, or more accurately your plant has, powdery mildew. It needs better air flow (possibly a small personal fan set on low) , lower humidity (the fan would help that too) , and you can spray with copper (do that outside then bring it in when it’s dry).

 

[Owdboggy]

Powdery mildew is often a sign that the plant is short of water. Mint is an unusual herb in that it needs to be in moist soil. Maybe use a spray of 1 part full cream milk to 9 parts water as a spray rather than copper sulphate.

 

[Don Reba]

I grow mint on my balcony. I don't want to spray the mint with anything other than water and I can't do much about wind or humidity, so I just let it grow until the first powdery mildew appears, and then harvest it all. It grows back fast enough.

Mildew can also be caused by aphids, which leave a sugary syrup on the leaves.