Kalanchoe marnieriana Sticky Leaves - Causes & Fixes

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Aphid Infestation

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that pierce the succulent leaves of Kalanchoe to suck sap, excreting a sugary substance known as honeydew. This residue creates a visible sticky film on the leaf surfaces and can lead to leaf curling.

Very Common

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

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

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2 Gently wipe the sticky residue from the leaves using a soft cloth and water to prevent fungal growth.

3 Inspect the undersides of leaves and new growth regularly to ensure no new pests have emerged.

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Scale Insects

Scale insects attach themselves to the stems and leaf undersides of Kalanchoe, feeding on plant fluids and secreting honeydew. Unlike aphids, these pests often look like small, stationary bumps or crusty patches.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Look for immobile, brownish or white bumps on the stems that can be scraped off with a fingernail.

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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 Physically remove visible scale insects from stems and leaf undersides using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

3 Wipe the sticky residue from the leaves with a damp cloth to prevent fungal growth and allow the plant to breathe.

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Mealybugs

Mealybugs are related to scale and produce honeydew as they feed on the plant's vascular system. They are characterized by white, cottony masses found in the crevices between leaf stalks.

Common

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How to confirm: Search for small patches of white, waxy fluff in the junctions where leaves meet the stem.

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1 Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the spread of mealybugs to other greenery and use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to manually remove visible white cottony masses.

2 Apply an organic insecticide spray to the entire plant, ensuring you coat the crevices between leaf stalks where pests hide.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

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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

While not a direct cause of stickiness, sooty mold is a black fungus that grows on the honeydew left behind by sap-sucking insects. It coats the leaves in a dark, powdery residue that can inhibit photosynthesis.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the sticky residue is accompanied by a dark, soot-like coating that can be wiped off with a damp cloth.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Identify and eliminate the underlying sap-sucking insects, such as aphids or scale, that are 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 residue off the leaves using a soft cloth and water to restore the plant's ability to photosynthesize.

3 Monitor soil moisture levels to ensure the plant is not overwatered, as excess moisture can create a stressful environment for pests.