Bryophyllum manginii White Cottony Spots - Causes & Fixes

Jump to cause: Mealybugs Cottony Scale Insects Sclerotinia (White Mold)

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Mealybugs

These small insects secrete a waxy, white substance that looks like cotton to protect themselves. They attach to the crevices of the Bryophyllum manginii stem and suck the sap from the plant tissue.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to dab the white spots; if they dissolve and turn brown, it is mealybugs.

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1 Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the mealybugs from spreading to your other houseplants.

2 Treat the infestation by spraying the plant with an organic insecticide or neem oil to kill the insects and remove the waxy coating.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

3 Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to manually remove any visible white cottony clusters from the stem crevices.

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Cottony Scale Insects

Similar to mealybugs, these pests create a white, fuzzy coating over the cactus body. They tend to cluster near the base or in protected areas of the plant's ribs.

Common

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How to confirm: Examine the area under the white fluff for small, hard-shelled insects clinging to the stem.

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1 Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the scale insects from spreading to other greenery in your collection.

2 Treat the affected areas by spraying the plant with an organic insecticide/miticide to eliminate the scale insects and their eggs.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

3 Gently wipe away any visible white cottony clusters using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to remove the pest residue.

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Sclerotinia (White Mold)

Fungal pathogens can cause white, mycelium-like growth on the surface of succulents if humidity is too high. This is often accompanied by localized softening or rotting of the cactus flesh.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the tissue underneath the white spots feels mushy or has a distinct unpleasant odor.

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1 Prune away any soft, rotting, or heavily infected tissue using sterilized shears to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy parts of the plant.

Fiskars 5/8" Bypass Pruning Shears

Cutting Tools

$13

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2 Apply a fungicide to the affected area and surrounding leaves to suppress fungal growth and protect the plant from further infection.

Bonide Captain Jack's Copper Fungicide 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$12

In Stock

3 Reduce humidity and improve airflow around the plant, and ensure the soil is not staying overly saturated, which can be monitored using a moisture meter.