Crassula lactea White Cottony Spots - Causes & Fixes

Jump to cause: Mealybugs Powdery Mildew Cottony Blight (Sclerotinia/Botrytis)

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Mealybugs

These small, soft-bodied insects secrete a white, waxy, cotton-like substance to protect themselves. In Crassula lactea, they often congregate in the crevices between the fleshy leaves and near the stem base.

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 disappear, 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 protective waxy coating.

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

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Powdery Mildew

This fungal pathogen manifests as a fine, white dusty coating on the leaf surfaces. While more common in humid environments, it can affect succulents if airflow is restricted around the dense foliage of the Milk Crassula.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the white spots can be wiped off easily like dust and if new growth appears stunted or distorted.

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1 Treat the affected leaves immediately with an organic fungicide to stop the spread of the fungal spores.

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0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

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2 Improve air circulation around the plant by spacing it away from other foliage and ensuring a gentle breeze can reach the leaves.

3 Reduce humidity levels and avoid overhead watering, which can leave moisture trapped in the dense foliage of the Crassula.

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Cottony Blight (Sclerotinia/Botrytis)

Certain fungal pathogens cause decaying tissue that develops a fuzzy, white appearance. In succulents like Crassula, this is usually accompanied by soft, translucent, or mushy spots on the leaves.

Common

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How to confirm: Gently press the affected area to see if the leaf tissue feels soft, water-soaked, or collapses easily.

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1 Remove and discard all mushy, translucent, or heavily infected leaves to prevent the fungal spores from spreading to healthy tissue.

2 Apply an organic fungicide to the affected area to control the spread of the blight.