Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Sticky Leaves - Causes & Fixes

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Aphid Infestation

Aphids are sap-sucking insects that pierce the soft tissues of Kalanchoe leaves to feed, excreting a sugary substance known as honeydew. This residue is the primary cause of sticky surfaces on succulent foliage.

Very Common

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

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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

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2 Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove the sticky residue and prevent the growth of sooty mold.

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

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Scale Insects

Scale insects attach themselves to the stems and leaf undersides of Kalanchoe, secreting honeydew as they feed on plant fluids. This often results in a persistent sticky film that can attract sooty mold.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Look for small, hard, bump-like protrusions firmly attached to the stems or leaves.

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1 Treat the plant with an organic insecticide to eliminate the scale insects and stop the production of honeydew.

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 residue and prevent the growth of sooty mold.

3 Inspect the undersides of leaves and stems for any remaining insect scales and manually remove them if possible.

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Mealybug Infestation

Mealybugs are soft-bodied insects that produce honeydew while feeding on Kalanchoe's sap. They are often accompanied by white, cottony masses in the leaf axils.

Common

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How to confirm: Use a magnifying glass to check for white, waxy, cotton-like clusters near the base of leaves.

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1 Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the spread of mealybugs to other houseplants and treat the infestation with an organic insecticide spray.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to manually remove visible white, cottony masses from the leaf axils.

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

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Sooty Mold (Secondary Symptom)

While not the primary cause, sooty mold is a black fungus that grows on the honeydew left behind by pests. It creates a dark, dusty-looking coating over the sticky residue.

Common

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How to confirm: Observe if the stickiness is accompanied by a black, soot-like layer that can be wiped off with a damp cloth.

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shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Identify and treat the underlying pest infestation (such as aphids, scale, or whiteflies) that is producing the sticky honeydew.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Gently wipe the black sooty mold off the leaves using a soft cloth and a mild insecticidal soap solution to restore photosynthesis.