Kalanchoe pumila Sticky Leaves - Causes & Fixes

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Aphid Infestation

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

Very Common

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

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

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2 Wipe the sticky residue off the leaves using a soft cloth dampened with water to prevent fungal growth and allow the plant to breathe.

3 Place yellow sticky traps near the plant to capture any remaining flying aphids and monitor for new arrivals.

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Scale Insects

Scale insects attach themselves to the stems and leaves of succulents like Kalanchoe, feeding on plant fluids and secreting honeydew. Unlike aphids, they may look like small, stationary bumps or crusty patches.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Look for small, raised brown or tan 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 leaves 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 sap-sucking pests that produce honeydew and often appear as white, cottony masses in the crevices of the pebble plant's foliage.

Common

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How to confirm: Check the leaf axils (where leaves meet the stem) for white, waxy, or cotton-like clusters.

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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.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

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

3 Wipe the sticky honeydew residue off the leaves using a soft cloth to prevent fungal growth and allow the plant to breathe.

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Sooty Mold

While not a direct cause of stickiness, sooty mold is a black fungus that grows on the layer of honeydew left behind by sucking insects. It can eventually coat the Kalanchoe leaves in a dark, dusty film.

Common

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How to confirm: Observe if the sticky residue is accompanied by a black, powdery coating that obscures leaf visibility.

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shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Identify and eliminate the underlying pest source, such as aphids or scale, using an organic insecticide spray to stop the production of 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 film off the leaves with a soft cloth dampened with water or a mild insecticidal soap solution to restore photosynthesis.

3 Monitor soil moisture levels to ensure the plant is not being overwatered, as high humidity can exacerbate fungal growth.