Why does your Lycopersicon esculentum have sticky leaves? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
Aphids feed on the phloem of tomato plants, excreting a sugary substance known as honeydew. This residue is characteristically sticky and often leads to the development of black sooty mold on leaves.
Whiteflies pierce tomato cells to extract sap, leaving behind sticky honeydew. You may notice small white insects fluttering around the plant when you disturb the foliage.
Scale insects attach themselves to tomato stems or leaves and secrete honeydew as they feed on sap. Unlike aphids, these pests often look like small, stationary bumps or crusty patches.
Leafhoppers pierce tomato leaf tissue to feed, which can result in sticky excretions and characteristic 'stippling' or pale spots on the foliage.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:
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