amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; If your plant looks otherwise healthy, then you should not worry at all. If you try to wipe the leaves, the wax can be removed easily. To determine whether you are dealing with a whiteflies infestation or not, check if the plant has mildew which is sticky to the touch. Bought it a farmers market. It doesn’t sound like you did anything “wrong”… An insecticidal soap is a great first step to take when dealing with insects. Among many others, you see it on blueberries, plums, red grapes, apples, kale and many succulents. thank you Let’s take a closer look at what this is all about. This condition occurs when the plant takes in more water than it needs, often a result of overwatering. amzn_assoc_linkid = "bb74c899fabc1a27bdcd8b86edf6fdf7"; Thought my Gremlin had developed powdery mildew (I live in a rainforest in North Queensland,Australia and we have had some winter rain) but it was so even I think you are right about the wax and next time I won’t go into panic mode. See photos I’ve tried spraying it and also cutting it back. Powdery mildew can also develop on succulents during the winter due to the combination of low light, poor air circulation, high humidity, and low temperatures. You do your best to take care of your succulents. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; ~Kat. Scale. Great article. Some plants, like the jade plant, store water in their leaves. Shame we cannot get plants from US suppliers. Infected plants usually have small spots which may be white, yellow, or brown. This leaves excess salt on leaves. Ugh! When all leaves or the whole succulent plant turns into black, it is most likely that the whole plant is rotting from the root to the top. Ecechervia Perle von Nurnberg, the dusty pink rosette above, may be the best known. But there are notable differences. During winter, sunshine is limited and light is also low. As you can see in this picture, it can look somewhat like the beneficial epicuticular wax. Although the plant can recover with reduced watering, be aware that the blisters will remain on the leaves. Also, since this wax protects the health of the plant, make note of the condition of the leaves. Further, it takes a very long time to come back, in succulents. If you have white mold on your succulent, you are more likely dealing with powdery mildew, a common houseplant ailment that is easy to treat. Before you panic, determine the possible cause of the white spots on your succulent. It wipes off easily – is not sticky, has not spread, would love some help. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. They refer to the whitish, cloudy film or waxy coating you see on a number of succulent leaves and stems. Maybe that is what I have on my succulent, but not sure. Succulents are susceptible to the invasion of parasitic fungi that cause spots on their leaves. Although spider mites are not easy to detect, they can leave signs of damage, usually on the parts of the plant they feed off. There are over a thousand species of scale, which vary in shapes, sizes and color. This is a mealybug infestation. And it tends to cause dirt particles to adhere only loosely to the leaf, so that it easily washes away when a water droplet rolls over it. Besides the unsightly white residue and spots on plants’ leaves, mealybugs will literally suck the life out of your houseplant. I have repotted and it seemed to do better. And as such, it can be disheartening to see unusual blemishes on your plants. Good plant hygiene is the best defense against mildew and bugs. Now sometimes, the rain and groundwater in your area might have a significant concentration of salt. My succulents are under cover because of our rainfall but get the morning sun. And if there are locations of heavier accumulation, they occur in a very gradual fashion that appears intentional. ~Kat. I don't need much care at all, just a sunny windowsill and water once or twice a month. The larvae of whiteflies look white and fuzzy on affected plants. Your succulents are growing healthy and well, yet one day you notice some tiny fuzzy white substances crawling on your plant beloved stems, and if left ignored, the plants may slowly wither and die eventually. I highly recommend this article as a great starting point for remedies for powdery mildew. Thanks so much for bringing me along on your adventures in succulents! I used a soap spray and it developed spots…what did I do wrong? I so appreciate it. Love the botany – may have to study up! This is a perfectly natural and healthy development the plant uses for its protection. You’re welcome to join my Facebook group for succulent lovers! These little guys usually hang out in a white web-like substance in the nooks and crannies of your succulent. Please subscribe for my FREE course, 7 Steps to Succulent Success. Leaves soon wither and deform with a whitefly infestation. Some types of plants, including varieties of succulents with glaucous leaves, develop farina or epicuticular wax. It sounds like your plant may have mealy bugs. The best thing you can do is obviously to remove the plant from the pot. I learn a lot . Systemic Insecticides: If these natural products aren’t working for you after a few weeks, you could … I just want to thank you for all your great information that is making my first time working with Succulents so exciting with all your information. Thank you! That was a really informative post. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Worse, if you wipe the farina off your plants, it will take a long time for the wax to come back completely. It produces an almost ethereal quality to the color, doesn’t it? I always find it so much easier to learn something new when I understand the why behind the what. I’ll be happy to help, Heidi! They feel like nothing.other two plants from same shop don't have em. Aloe Scale or White Scale is are sap suckers approximately 1mm-2mm in length and they are white in colour. I have learnt so much about caring for succulents, and feel more confident in caring for these precious plants, Thanks SO much, Usha! When invading the plant, the fungus can form brown spots on the leaves that gradually form larger lesions. Commonly, the white spots look like cottony substance that resides at the bottom of the leaves or on the stems. Most often, the succulents referred to as glaucous are those that have bluish-grey or green leaves with pronounced epicuticular wax. Brown Leaves or Dark Spots on Leaves. If you see little mounds of white cotton-like balls on the leaves of your plant, you have a mealybug infestation. Thanks so much for subscribing! This enables the plant to take in the chitinase through its roots and distribute it throughout the plant. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; To propagate me, prune off a 4" stem and place it in moist cactus soil. var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"bzh5o999z","width":300,"height":600,"t":1603574787,"userId":35420596,"responsive":true,"type":"html5"}; (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[3]='ADDRESS';ftypes[3]='address';fnames[4]='PHONE';ftypes[4]='phone';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"bdui6flsp","width":300,"height":250,"t":1606527826,"userId":35420596,"responsive":true,"type":"html5"}; var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"bdui29ind","width":300,"height":250,"t":1590800140,"userId":35420596,"responsive":true,"type":"html5"}; var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"btui6flsp","width":300,"height":250,"t":1606527661,"userId":35420596,"responsive":true,"type":"html5"}; var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"bcp849jub","width":300,"height":250,"t":1589684540,"userId":35420596,"responsive":true,"type":"html5"}; var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"bdkfbm5pr","width":300,"height":600,"t":1538673249,"userId":35420596,"responsive":true,"type":"html5"}; var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"bdcfgnjcb","width":336,"height":280,"t":1553117200,"userId":35420596,"type":"html5"}; var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"bzkmactra","width":300,"height":400,"t":1536635705,"userId":35420596,"responsive":true,"type":"html5"}; What Is This White Stuff on My Succulents? It helps the plant to grow in full sun without damage, and to protect it from insect predation. I live in South Australia – driest state in Australia – true we get rain but almost zero humidity. The plant tends to look a bit patchy, where the wax has been removed, and will remain so for months. I tried to wipe them off, a few wiped off on my finger but others didn't. The eggs are a pale yellow when freshly laid, and brown when they are ready to hatch. In time, the plant may be able to develop more wax to replace that which was wiped away. I do wish agricultural imports didn’t have to be so strictly regulated, but the problems that can occur are SO damaging, it really is for the best. On infected succulents, mealybugs look like tiny balls of cotton. The fuzzy white substances are mealy bugs, one of the most common pest problems for succulents and a stubborn one that requires a long and thorough fight to get rid of them. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; For the plants we mentioned above or any others that you notice a burn after being sprayed, we recommend using 50% Isopropyl Alcohol and reapply as needed. This leaves your succulents looking patchy. Mealybug on leaf figs. var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"bxji6nnnv","width":600,"height":100,"t":1585520946,"userId":35420596,"responsive":true,"type":"html5"}; Plants develop epicuticular wax to enable them to thrive in challenging climates. Spider mites, on the other hand, are tiny arachnids that often lurk beneath the soil. That’s just awesome! Used with succulents... Propagating Succulents from Stem Cuttings, Etiolated Succulent Growing Tall & Stretched, Identifying Types of Succulents – with Pictures, Recognizing & Understanding Signs of Succulent Problems, this article as a great starting point for remedies for powdery mildew, Read more about whiteflies and how to control them here, Dividing Succulents – Propagating Succulents, 9 Simple Steps to Spring Care for Succulents, treat it to eliminate the mealybugs right away. Among many sterling qualities, worm castings are a natural source of chitinase, an enzyme that breaks down the exoskeleton of insects. Send it to kat [at] the succulent eclectic [dot] com. If you notice that your plants are getting all mushy and have black spots, it usually … Succulent plants store water in their tissue. Close inspection shows it to be a bit patchy rather than so even and fine as the wax. I am able to clean with a wet tissue, scrape them off. The common name white mold typically refers to Sclerotinia stem rot that mainly affects field crops. Finally, it tends to make the surface more difficult for insects to walk upon it, or to lay their eggs on it. The white chalky dust can cake up quite a bit on the stems and the lower part of the leaves. In this case, it can be wool lice or mealybugs. Another insect that can cause white spots on succulents is the mealybug. The increased uptake of water causes the formation of blisters on the plant. Hi Jacki, This fungal disease forms the white spots on the plant during the winter season due to cooler temperatures and excessive humidity. And as they feed on the plants, they leave a honeydew residue. Signs of White Scale Infestation: Numerous small white insects on the surfaces of leaves. To get rid of mealybugs, you can soak up balls of cotton in isopropyl alcohol. It tends to be so pronounced on kalanchoe thyrsiflora, the flapjacks or paddle plant, that people often seek help for the condition, not realizing it should be there. Healthy, happy leaves with a very fine, very even dusting of powder that covers the entire plant is a good description of the look of epicuticular wax. Please send me your photo by email to: It also reflects UV radiation, acting essentially as a sunscreen, preventing damage to the plant in the form of sunburn. Worm castings are effective both as a treatment and preventive measure. All you have to do is to wipe off the salt with a moist cloth. It appears white and a little furry or fuzzy. You may still find white spots on Jade Plant leaves in good conditions, but if the plant's overall health is good, you should not worry too much. White spots on jade plants can be a result of powdery mildew fungal disease. ~Kat, I got a new succulent the other day and loads of the white powder has been rubbed off. But be warned: there are a few issues associated with using baking soda. Mealybugs look like small, flat oval white spots on plant leaves. Powdery mildew shows up as a white or gray coating, in which individual spots are not recognizable. P.S. amzn_assoc_linkid = "ddac1ead5babac31eaf98e57f6d26fc7"; Soon after, these leaves drop. But not to worry – new growth will have it. These little white bugs infest cacti plants to feed on the sap in their leaves. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; It was attacked by mealybug s. So glad you find it helpful! You will also see this whitish wax on many, many others. Damage Done by White Scale: White Scale causes the plant to look unsightly and if left untreated it may kill the plant. All you have to do is spray this solution over the affected succulent every week. Whiteflies tend to be more active on the bottom of the leaf than the top. In succulents, farina imbues glaucous leaves with a tinge of white, blue, or gray. You may have tried to wipe it away, to find it easily wipes clean, but that there was more there than you realized. If you are unsure what is the actual cause of the white spots, consult the experts in your area. They are even on my succulents and the decorative marbles on the top layer of the soil. If you are concerned that you have a plant with powdery mildew, it is important to take action. These insects feed on your plant and create this white … You can end up doing more harm than good. Leaves soon wither and deform with a whitefly infestation. Let’s figure out how to deal with your insect problem. This is an important look to recognize, as the appearance of powdery mildew and of whiteflies lacks this. Botanical Name: Adromischus cristatus. White fly. I recently joined your very informative emails…love the learning. Plants absorb chitinase from the worm castings. Plants Attacked by White Scale: Aloes Spider mites can lurk beneath leaves and stems of succulents or even in the soil. Unlike farina which coats plants evenly, powdery mildew looks patchy and fuzzy. The white stuff on your cactus is most likely a mealybug (cochineal insect) infestation. I’m so upset as it looks so bad now , Hi Charley, amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; While they pose no risk to homes, they can decimate succulents causing stunted growth, deformed stems and yellowing leaves. Overwatering. It is also possible that the white stuff you see on your plants is just farina. Cacti are succulents and use the water they store in their tissue to help them survive long, dry periods. I think I understand the powdery coating that is protective thing. ~Kat, Thanks Kat. Because it bears some resemblance to damaging whiteflies and powdery mildew, it can be concerning. This enzyme destroys insects by breaking down their tough outer shells. Ants and Aloes Maybe there are some really interesting sellers in Australia you haven’t found yet? Answer: You don't have a fungal problem on your succulent. I am glad subscribe Your Email and the Nursery has a lot of good choices ! What are they? It's a common problem for soybean farmers … Lou Pullen, Hi Mary Lou, Pull your plant out from the soil and check to make sure it's roots are still healthy. If your succulent has white, fuzzy spots all over it, you probably have a mealybug infestation on your hands. Usually, the infestation begins with one or two leaves. ~Kat, Good Morning Kat! White Scale starts of as a small infestation on aloe leaves but it can turn into a serious infestation in a short period of time that will in allprobability result in the death of the Aloe. White spots on succulents can be a sign that you might be dealing with an insect infestation. Spider mites feed on the juices of succulents. You can distinguish farina from the harmful causes of white spots with the overall health and appearance of your plant. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Plant insect infestation White spots on succulents are most often caused by powdery mildew, insect infestation, excess salt, or edema. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; The presence of powdery mildew on a plant means that it is suffering from a fungal disease. This is because of the critical functions of the wax on succulents. It can be tricky to verify what is natural and what is a problem! amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Pests that feed on succulents range from tiny aphids to bigger snails, slugs, caterpillars, grasshoppers to larger animals such as mice, birds, possums, kangaroos or deer. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Whiteflies are tiny insects that suck the moisture and nutrients from plants, leaving a sticky residue called honeydew behind. Read more about whiteflies and how to control them here. This is not a problem, and it should be left in place to continue to do its job. For succulents, this wax helps to maintain their stores of moisture during times of drought. var bannersnack_embed = {"hash":"bzt30khv0","width":600,"height":100,"t":1536638404,"userId":35420596,"responsive":true,"type":"html5"}; Because epicuticular wax provides so many benefits to the plant, it should not be wiped away. amzn_assoc_asins = "B07612HLYQ,B0795WRC3Q,B07QYCB42M,B07HT4HW9C,B006MY5KJO"; Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that can harm your plants. Jennie, Thanks, Jennie! This wax makes water bead up, rather than truly wet the plant. It has always been inside at a north facing window. One of the best remedies for powdery mildew is milk diluted with water until you get a 10% solution. In botany, glaucous leaves are any that are “covered with a greyish, bluish, or whitish waxy coating or bloom that is easily rubbed off”. White spots on succulents are a cause for concern as they often indicate a bigger problem at hand which needs your immediate attention. White Scale are sap suckers. The wax helps to keep the part of the plant that it covers from losing moisture to the air. Hi Elaine, For one, you will need to keep a watchful eye on infected plants. And as such, some parts of the affected plant may not have white spots. So clearly, it will need an even “application”, right? Scorch can affect succulent plants if there is a sudden period of sunshine after the dark winter days, or even after a prolonged cloudy period during the summer. Glaucous (GLAH-cuss) leaves have the appearance of the whiti... Epicuticular wax (Ep-i-cyoo-TI-cyoo-lar wax) is a natural, ... Farina is a term for a very fine flour. Over time, farina can accumulate in some parts of a succulent. They are also fuzzy or powdery looking. Upper leaves have less/none. Now you know the purpose of that white film on many of your succulents! Holly, Hi Holly, So it is not evenly distributed over the plant at all. Soeisna, Thanks SO much, Soeisna! If they aren't treated quickly, mealybugs will spread all over a succulent and to nearby succulents as well. A worm casting tea like Hello Succulents vermicompost tea can be applied topically as a foliar spray to treat an infestation of insects – and fertilize the plant at the same time. ~Kat. These are tiny elliptical insects that are usually 2-3-millimeter-long and commonly are white, gray, or light brown in color. Worm castings, which is essentially worm manure, also doubles up as a fertilizer. In general, the wax will be very fine and very evenly distributed on your plant, where the powdery mildew and whiteflies will be more patchy in appearance. Apart from the white spots, you will notice that some of the plant’s leaves become yellowish. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "succulentecle-20"; ~Kat, I have a succulent that has this almost spiderweb liked white coating around the stem of it and it’s kind of falling naked in that area and becoming very weak and it’s on the leaves as well some of them ,and some of them are turning to Death, can you tell me what this might be This can happen if the plant is exposed to unfiltered full sun or if the plant is recently moved to a sunny location without acclimatizing the plant first. Mealybugs are one of the most common infestations in plants like cacti and succulents. Baking soda can also accumulate in the soil which can leach off vital nutrients. ~Kat. What Do White Fuzzy Spots Mean? I’ll be happy to take a look to better advise you! If so, you need to treat it to eliminate the mealybugs right away. Mealybugs are small insects with flat white bodies that typically hide in the branches and stems of succulents. Their favorite place to hide is right where the leaves meet up with the stem. Recognizing epicuticular wax, and discerning the difference between it and a pathogen or infestation lies in its purpose. The insects and larva are all white, and sometimes look fluffy or furry when they accumulate. The white spots are not mildew. ~Kat. Thanks so much for the comment! This may be perceived as white spots at first but then can grow and take over the leaves if not treated properly in advance. It is epicuticular wax, sometimes called farinaFarina is a term for a very fine flour. And they do not produce a uniform, even, superfine coating of the leaf or plant like the epicuticular wax does. Whiteflies feed on the water and nutrients of the plants they attack. I'm assuming an aphid of some kind. Your posts are so informative. It forms on the outer cuticle of the plant’s skin. 2. It looks seems to have white fine threads on it. Thanks! That, by definition, is what makes it a succulent plant. Powdery mildew forms gradually, and it tends to start on a single leaf or two, heavily covering those leaves while neighboring leaves have little to none.