The white silk disease of mint is a fungal disease. At the early stage of the disease, the leaves of the diseased plant faded, and a large number of white mycelium and brown rapeseed-like sclerotia were produced at the base of the stem and the ground surface. After the disease spread, the growth potential of the plant weakened, withered or the whole plant died.

Pathogens overwinter in the soil left by sclerotia or bacteriocin with the disease residue, and when the conditions are suitable in the second year, sclerotia or bacteriocin produces mycelium for primary infection. Continuous cropping or clay and low-lying or hot and humid years or seasons are serious.