Kalanchoe Passion Poseidon Pink 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 out sap. As they feed, they excrete 'honeydew,' a clear, sticky substance that coats the foliage.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the undersides of the pink 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 Wipe the sticky leaves with a damp cloth to remove the honeydew residue, which prevents the growth of secondary issues like 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 stems and leaf surfaces of Kalanchoe, feeding on plant fluids. Similar to aphids, they produce honeydew which creates a tacky residue on the plant surface.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Look for small, brownish, stationary bumps on the stems that cannot be easily wiped off like dust.

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1 Treat the plant with an organic insecticide spray 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 sticky leaves and stems with a soft cloth soaked in water or rubbing alcohol to remove the honeydew residue.

3 Inspect nearby plants and use yellow sticky traps to monitor for any remaining flying pests or secondary infestations.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

$7

In Stock

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Mealybug Infestation

Mealybugs are pests that thrive in the crevices of succulent leaves; their feeding process results in the secretion of sticky honeydew and often accompanied by white, cottony masses.

Common

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How to confirm: Use a magnifying glass to check the leaf axils (where the leaf meets the stem) for white, waxy clusters.

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1 Isolate the plant immediately and treat the infestation with an organic insecticide spray to kill adult mealybugs and larvae.

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 crevices.

3 Wipe the leaves clean of sticky honeydew to prevent the growth of sooty mold and secondary fungal issues.

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Sooty Mold

While not the primary cause of stickiness, sooty mold is a black fungus that grows specifically on the honeydew left behind by sucking insects. This makes the pink pigmentation of the Kalanchoe look obscured by dark soot.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the sticky residue is accompanied by a black, powdery coating that can be wiped away.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Identify and eliminate 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 water to restore the plant's pink pigmentation.

3 Monitor soil moisture levels to ensure the plant is not being overwatered, which can stress the plant and make it more susceptible to pests.