Calathea roseopicta White Cottony Spots - Causes & Fixes

Jump to cause: Mealybugs Cottony Scale Botrytis (Gray Mold)

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Mealybugs

These sap-sucking insects produce a white, waxy, cotton-like secretion to protect themselves. They cluster in the crevices of Calathea leaves and near the stems, draining the plant's nutrients and causing leaf yellowing.

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 or turn brown, it is likely 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 to kill the insects and their waxy coatings.

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3 Gently wipe away visible white cottony clusters from the leaves and crevices using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.

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Cottony Scale

Scale insects can produce white, fuzzy coverings that mimic cotton. In Calathea, these pests settle on the underside of leaves and stems, causing stunted growth and sticky honeydew residue.

Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the undersides of the foliage for small, hard bumps beneath the white fluff.

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1 Treat the plant with an organic insecticide to eliminate the scale insects and their fuzzy coverings.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Carefully wipe the undersides of leaves and stems with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to remove visible pests.

3 Monitor the plant's environment and clean nearby surfaces to remove any sticky honeydew residue left by the insects.

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Botrytis (Gray Mold)

While typically gray, early stages of fungal decay in high-humidity environments can appear as fuzzy, light-colored patches. Calatheas are sensitive to stagnant air, which promotes this fungal growth.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the white spots are accompanied by soft, decaying tissue or dark water-soaked lesions on the leaves.

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1 Prune and remove all infected leaves immediately to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy foliage.

2 Apply an organic fungicide to treat the remaining healthy tissue and suppress fungal spores.