Hydrangea macrophylla Magical Ruby Red Sticky Leaves - Causes & Fixes

error

Aphid Infestation

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that pierce the tender stems and leaf undersides of Hydrangeas to suck sap, excreting a sugary substance known as honeydew. This residue creates the characteristic sticky film on the foliage.

Very Common

lightbulb

How to confirm: Inspect the undersides of the leaves and new growth for tiny, pear-shaped green or black insects.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

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

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Wash the sticky residue off the leaves using a firm stream of water or a mild insecticidal soap to prevent fungal growth.

Bonide Captain Jack's Insecticidal Super Soap 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$11

In Stock

3 Inspect the undersides of leaves and new growth regularly to catch any remaining pests before they multiply.

warning

Scale Insects

Scale insects attach themselves to the stems and leaf petioles of Hydrangeas, feeding on plant fluids. Like aphids, they produce honeydew as a byproduct of their feeding process.

Common

lightbulb

How to confirm: Look for small, stationary bumps or 'shells' on the stems that do not move when disturbed.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

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

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Wipe the leaves and stems with a damp cloth to remove the sticky honeydew residue and prevent fungal growth.

3 Inspect the undersides of leaves and stems regularly to catch new infestations early.

warning

Whitefly Infestation

Whiteflies congregate on the undersides of hydrangea leaves; their feeding activity results in sticky honeydew coating the leaf surface.

Common

lightbulb

How to confirm: Gently tap the foliage to see if a cloud of tiny white insects flies out from beneath the leaves.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Apply an organic insecticide spray to the undersides of the leaves to eliminate adult whiteflies and larvae.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Place yellow sticky traps near the plant to capture flying adults and monitor the infestation level.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

$7

In Stock

3 Wipe the sticky honeydew residue off the leaves with a damp cloth to prevent fungal growth like sooty mold.

warning

Sooty Mold

While not the primary cause, sooty mold is a fungus that grows specifically on the sticky honeydew left behind by sap-sucking insects. It appears as a black, powdery coating over the sticky areas.

Common

lightbulb

How to confirm: Check if the stickiness is accompanied by a dark, smut-like film that can be wiped off with a damp cloth.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Identify and treat the underlying insect pest (such as aphids or scale) using an organic insecticide to stop the production of honeydew.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Gently wash the black, powdery mold off the leaves with a soft cloth or a mild horticultural soap solution to restore photosynthesis.

Bonide Captain Jack's Insecticidal Super Soap 32 oz