Senecio haworthii White Cottony Spots - Causes & Fixes

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

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Mealybugs

Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects that secrete a white, waxy, cotton-like substance to protect themselves. In String of Dolphins, they often hide in the crevices between the 'dolphins' or near the base of the stems.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to touch 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 remove the waxy coating.

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

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Powdery Mildew

This fungal pathogen manifests as white, flour-like patches on the surface of the succulent leaves. It thrives in environments with high humidity and poor air circulation around the dense foliage.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the white spots look more like a surface film that can be wiped 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 Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Improve air circulation around the plant and reduce humidity by avoiding overhead watering and ensuring the foliage can dry quickly.

3 Prune and dispose of any heavily infected leaves to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy parts of the succulent.

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Cottony Blight (Botrytis)

While less common in succulents, Botrytis can cause grayish-white fuzzy growth on decaying organic matter. In Senecio, this usually occurs if there is excessive moisture trapped deep within the foliage mass.

Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the base of the stems for any signs of softening or dark, mushy rot accompanying the white fuzz.

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1 Immediately remove any decaying or heavily affected leaves to prevent the fungus from spreading through the plant mass.

2 Improve airflow around the foliage and reduce watering frequency to ensure the base of the plant dries out completely between sessions.