Verticillium Wilt
Disease · Commonly affects: Tomatoes, Eggplant, Potatoes, Peppers, Strawberries, Raspberries
Verticillium wilt is a soilborne fungal disease caused by species of Verticillium that infect a plant's roots and then clog the water-conducting tissue inside the stem. It matters to home gardeners because the fungus survives in soil for many years and can slowly stunt or kill a wide range of vegetables, berries, and ornamentals.
How to identify it
Look for yellowing and wilting that usually starts on the lower, older leaves and often shows up on just one side of the plant or on a single branch. Leaves frequently develop V-shaped yellow or brown wedges pointing inward from the margins, and plants may wilt in the heat of the day and partly recover overnight. Slicing a wilted stem lengthwise often reveals tan-to-brown streaking in the wood just under the bark, which is a strong confirming clue.
Damage
By plugging the xylem, the fungus cuts off the flow of water and nutrients, leading to leaf scorch, branch dieback, stunting, and reduced yields. Severely affected plants often decline over one or more seasons and can collapse completely, especially during drought or heat stress.
Prevention
Rotate away from susceptible crops like tomatoes and potatoes for several years, and choose resistant or tolerant varieties when you can (tomato varieties labeled with a "V" carry Verticillium resistance). Space plants well for air flow, build healthy soil with organic matter and steady moisture, and practice good sanitation by clearing crop debris and cleaning tools, cages, and stakes between plantings. Rotating in non-host crops such as corn, small grains, and grasses can help lower fungus levels in the soil over time.
How to manage it
Because Verticillium lives inside the plant's vascular system, non-chemical control focuses on reducing stress and removing sources of the fungus rather than spraying. Prune out and discard clearly wilted or dead branches in the trash rather than the compost, pull and destroy badly infected annual vegetables, and water deeply and evenly to ease drought stress on the plants that remain. Solarizing moist soil under clear plastic during the hottest weeks of summer can reduce fungus levels in a garden bed before you replant.
General guidance for US home gardens, focused on prevention and non-chemical control. For a confirmed diagnosis and options specific to your area, contact your local Cooperative Extension office. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.