Kalanchoe pumila White Cottony Spots - Causes & Fixes

Jump to cause: Mealybugs Powdery Mildew Cottony Blight (Botrytis)

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Mealybugs

These small, sap-sucking insects produce a white, waxy, cottony secretion to protect themselves. In Kalanchoe pumila, they often congregate at the leaf axils and stem junctions, causing stunted growth and potential leaf drop.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Use a magnifying glass to look for tiny, moving white insects tucked deep in the leaf crevices or near the base of stems.

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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

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

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Powdery Mildew

This fungal pathogen manifests as white, flour-like patches on the surface of the leaves. It thrives in Kalanchoe environments with high humidity and poor air circulation, eventually causing leaves to yellow and wilt.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the white spots can be wiped off the leaf surface with a damp cloth; if they smear or appear as a fine dust, it is likely fungal.

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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

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2 Improve air circulation around the plant and reduce humidity by avoiding overhead watering and ensuring the plant is not crowded.

3 Prune and discard any heavily infected leaves to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy foliage.

Fiskars 5/8" Bypass Pruning Shears

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Cottony Blight (Botrytis)

While less common on succulents like Kalanchoe, high moisture levels can trigger Botrytis, which appears as fuzzy, greyish-white growth, typically starting on decaying organic matter or wounded plant tissue.

Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the base of the plant for any soft, rotting tissue that might be serving as an entry point for the fungus.

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shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Prune away all affected plant tissue and any decaying organic matter to stop the spread of the fungus.

2 Apply an organic fungicide to protect the remaining healthy tissue from further infection.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

3 Reduce humidity and ensure better airflow around the plant, and use a moisture meter to prevent overwatering.