Buddleja Lindleyana Sticky Leaves - Causes & Fixes

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Aphid Infestation

Aphids are common pests on Buddleja species that suck sap from tender new growth, excreting a sugary substance known as honeydew. This sticky residue coats the leaves and can lead to secondary issues like sooty mold.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the undersides of young leaves and developing flower buds for small, soft-bodied insects.

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1 Apply an organic insecticide to eliminate the aphid population and stop the production of honeydew.

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2 Gently wash the sticky residue off the leaves using a soft cloth or a gentle stream of water to prevent secondary sooty mold growth.

3 Inspect the undersides of new growth regularly and use yellow sticky traps to monitor for any returning flying insects.

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Scale Insects

Scale insects attach themselves to the stems and leaves of the Hedgehog Butterfly Bush, piercing plant tissue to feed. Like aphids, they excrete honeydew which creates a persistent sticky film on the foliage.

Common

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How to confirm: Look for small, stationary bumps or shell-like structures firmly attached to the stems or leaf petioles.

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1 Apply an organic insecticide spray to the foliage and stems to eliminate existing scale insects and their eggs.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

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2 Thoroughly wipe the sticky honeydew residue off the leaves using a soft cloth and water to prevent fungal growth.

3 Inspect the undersides of leaves and crevices for any remaining scale clusters to prevent re-infestation.

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Sooty Mold (Secondary Infection)

While not the primary cause of stickiness, sooty mold is a black fungus that grows directly on the honeydew left by sucking insects. It can make the leaves appear greasy and dark, eventually reducing photosynthesis in the plant.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the sticky residue is accompanied by a black, powdery coating that can be wiped off with a cloth.

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1 Identify and eliminate the underlying sucking insects (such as aphids or scale) that are producing the sticky honeydew by applying an organic insecticide.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

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2 Gently wash the black sooty mold off the leaves using a soft cloth or a gentle stream of water to restore the plant's ability to photosynthesize.

3 Monitor the plant's environment and foliage regularly to ensure no new pest infestations or fungal growth appear.

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Mealybugs

Mealybugs are related to scale and aphids and produce honeydew as they feed on the plant's vascular system. They often appear as small, white, cottony masses in the leaf axils of the Buddleja.

Common

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How to confirm: Examine the junctions where leaves meet the stem for white, waxy, or fuzzy clusters.

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1 Inspect the leaf axils for white, cottony masses and spray the affected areas with an organic insecticide to eliminate the mealybug population.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Wipe away the sticky honeydew residue from the leaves using a soft cloth dampened with water or insecticidal soap to prevent fungal growth.

3 Prune away any heavily infested stems to prevent the pests from spreading to the rest of the hedge.