Kalanchoe Taroanta Yellow White Cottony Spots - Causes & Fixes

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

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Mealybugs

These small, sap-sucking insects produce a white, waxy, cottony secretion to protect themselves and their eggs. They tend to cluster in the crevices between the succulent leaves of Kalanchoe where moisture is trapped.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to dab the spots; if they dissolve and turn brown, it is likely mealybugs.

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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 eggs.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

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

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Powdery Mildew

This fungal pathogen manifests as white, flour-like patches on leaf surfaces. It thrives in high humidity and poor air circulation around the dense foliage of Kalanchoe.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the white spots appear more like a surface film that can be rubbed off rather than distinct fuzzy clumps.

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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

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$12

In Stock

2 Improve air circulation around the dense foliage and reduce humidity levels to create an environment less hospitable to fungal growth.

3 Prune and dispose of heavily infected leaves to prevent the pathogen from spreading to healthy parts of the plant.

Fiskars 5/8" Bypass Pruning Shears

Cutting Tools

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Cottony Blight (Sclerotinia)

While less common in succulents, certain fungal infections can cause white, mold-like growth on decaying plant tissue. This usually occurs if the base of the Kalanchoe stem is staying too wet.

Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the stem area for any signs of softening or dark, mushy rot beneath the white fuzz.

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1 Prune away all affected plant tissue and any stems showing white, mold-like growth to prevent the fungus from spreading.

2 Apply an organic fungicide to the remaining healthy tissue to combat the fungal blight.

Bonide Captain Jack's Copper Fungicide 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$12

In Stock

3 Improve air circulation and ensure the soil is not staying too wet by monitoring moisture levels with a meter.