Why does your Rhododendron maximum have sticky leaves? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that pierce the leaf tissue of Rhododendron maximum to suck out sap, excreting a sugary substance known as honeydew. This sticky residue often coats the undersides of the leaves and can attract black sooty mold.
Scale insects attach themselves to the stems and leaf petioles of Great Laurel, feeding on nutrients and secreting honeydew. Unlike aphids, these pests often look like small, stationary bumps or scales rather than active insects.
While not the primary cause of stickiness, sooty mold is a dark fungus that grows directly on the honeydew left by pests. It creates a black, velvety coating on the leaf surface which can interfere with the plant's photosynthesis.
Whiteflies are small flying insects that congregate on the undersides of Rhododendron foliage, secreting honeydew as they feed. They are often noticed when the plant is disturbed and a small cloud of white insects takes flight.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:
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