Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Don Amador Sticky Leaves - Causes & Fixes

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Aphid Infestation

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that pierce the tender stems and leaves of Kalanchoe to suck sap, excreting a sugary substance called honeydew. This honeydew creates the characteristic sticky residue on leaf surfaces.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the undersides of leaves and new growth for tiny green or black moving insects.

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1 Immediately spray the plant with an organic insecticide to eliminate the aphid population and stop the production of honeydew.

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2 Gently wipe the sticky residue off the leaves with a damp cloth to prevent the growth of sooty mold.

3 Inspect nearby plants and use yellow sticky traps to capture any remaining flying aphids or prevent new infestations.

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Scale Insects

Scale insects attach themselves to the plant and feed on phloem sap, also producing honeydew as a byproduct. Unlike aphids, these may look like small, stationary bumps or hard shells on the stems or leaves.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Look for small, brown, scale-like bumps on the leaf petioles or main stems that can be scraped off with a fingernail.

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1 Apply an organic insecticide spray to the plant to kill the scale insects and remove the protective shells.

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 soft cloth or cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to manually remove visible scale insects and clean off the sticky honeydew.

3 Inspect nearby plants and use yellow sticky traps to monitor for any migrating pests or secondary insects attracted to the honeydew.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

$7

In Stock

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Mealybugs

Mealybugs are related to scale and produce honeydew; they are often covered in a white, waxy substance that can make the leaf surface feel sticky.

Common

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How to confirm: Check the tight junctions between leaves and stems for small, white, cottony clusters.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the spread of mealybugs to other houseplants and wipe the white, waxy insects off the leaves using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Apply an organic insecticide spray to the entire plant, ensuring you coat the undersides of leaves and crevices where pests hide.