Kalanchoe blossfeldiana White Cottony Spots - Causes & Fixes

search Possible Causes

error

Mealybugs

These small, sap-sucking insects produce a white, waxy, cottony secretion to protect themselves while feeding on the plant's stems and leaves. In Kalanchoe, they often cluster in the crevices between leaf nodes or under the base of the flowers.

Very Common

lightbulb

How to confirm: Use a magnifying glass to check if the white spots move or are attached to small, insect-like bodies hiding in leaf axils.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

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 or neem oil to kill the insects and their waxy coating.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

3 Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to manually remove visible white cottony clusters from leaf crevices and stem nodes.

warning

Powdery Mildew

This fungal pathogen manifests as a fine, white powdery coating on the surface of the leaves. It thrives in Kalanchoe when there is high humidity combined with poor air circulation around the foliage.

Common

lightbulb

How to confirm: Check if the white spots can be rubbed off easily with your finger, leaving a clean or slightly discolored spot underneath.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Apply an organic fungicide to the affected leaves to eliminate the powdery mildew spores and prevent further spread.

Bonide Captain Jack's Copper Fungicide 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$12

In Stock

2 Improve air circulation around the plant and reduce humidity by spacing it away from other plants and avoiding overhead watering.

3 Prune and dispose of any heavily infected leaves to reduce the fungal load on the plant.

Fiskars 5/8" Bypass Pruning Shears

Cutting Tools

$13

In Stock

warning

Cottony Blight (Botrytis cinerea)

While typically associated with flower decay, Botrytis can produce fuzzy, greyish-white fungal growth on Kalanchoe blossoms and tender stems during periods of excessive moisture.

Common

lightbulb

How to confirm: Examine if the white spots are accompanied by browning or rotting of the flower petals or stem tissue.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Prune and remove all affected blossoms and stems showing white fuzzy growth to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy tissue.

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

Bonide Captain Jack's Copper Fungicide 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$12

In Stock

3 Improve air circulation around the plant and reduce watering frequency to ensure the soil and foliage dry out between waterings.