Senecio rowleyanus White Cottony Spots - Causes & Fixes

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

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Mealybugs

These sap-sucking insects produce a white, waxy, cotton-like secretion to protect themselves. They often hide in the crevices between the pearl-like leaves and can cause the pearls to shrivel or fall off.

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 to eliminate the insects and their waxy secretions.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

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3 Gently wipe away visible white cottony spots using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to kill the pests on contact.

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Powdery Mildew

A fungal disease that manifests as white powdery patches on the surface of the stems and leaves. This usually occurs 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 substance can be easily wiped off the surface of the pearls like dust.

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1 Apply an organic fungicide to the affected areas 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 dense foliage and reduce humidity levels to create an environment less hospitable to fungal growth.

3 Prune and carefully dispose of any heavily infected stems to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy parts of the plant.

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Cottony Blight (Botrytis)

A fungal pathogen that thrives in moist, stagnant conditions. It causes gray or white fuzzy growth, typically starting on decaying organic matter or bruised parts of the plant stems.

Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the base of the stems for any signs of soft, mushy rot accompanied by the white fuzz.

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1 Prune away all affected stems and any decaying organic matter using sterilized shears to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy pearls.

Fiskars 5/8" Bypass Pruning Shears

Cutting Tools

$13

In Stock

2 Apply an organic fungicide to the remaining plant tissue to control the spread of the blight.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

3 Improve air circulation around the plant and reduce watering frequency, ensuring the soil dries out completely between sessions to eliminate the moist, stagnant conditions the fungus requires.