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Pests & Diseases Q&A
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SIGNS Small, black gnats flying slowly and resting on wet soil Look similar to fruit flies TREATMENTS Help soil dry out completely by reducing watering frequency and increasing airflow and sunlight Make a gnat trap: pour a couple splashes of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap into a cup, cover with plastic wrap, then poke a finger-sized hole in the plastic; keep near plant Rep Read more
SIGNS Clusters of tiny black, green, yellow, white, or pink dots Sticky residue on leaves TREATMENTS First, isolate plant to prevent spread of aphids and repot with new soil Most effective strategy: spray directly with diluted 50% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) every day until bugs disappear Wash aphids off with a strong blast of water Introduce ladybugs into your garden to preda Read more
Succulents are extremely resilient plants, but they can be affected by pests and diseases, particularly when grown indoors or kept too wet. When problems do arise, they are often related to mealybugs, aphids, gray mold ( Botrytis ), or fungus gnats. You can find specific information for each of these pests in their own articles in this FAQ, but below are preventative and curative measures that work for general succul Read more
SIGNS White, cotton-like buildup in crevices between leaves Misshapen leaves marked with dents Significant leaf loss, including top and center leaves TREATMENTS First, isolate plant to prevent spread of bugs and repot with new soil Most effective strategy: spray directly with diluted 50% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) every day until bugs disappear Introduce ladybugs into your ga Read more
SIGNS Hard, round black, brown, or gray bumps Weak, wilted, or yellowing plants TREATMENTS Spray with diluted 50% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) daily until insects are gone Gently scrape off scale with a card Remove affected leaves and stems Spray with soapy water solution (three drops of soap in two cups of water) Spray with diluted neem oil (one teaspoon in a quart of water) a Read more
SIGNS Mass of fuzzy, gray to brown mold spores Dusty mold spreading from broken, damaged, or dying leaves and stems TREATMENTS Remove any dead or dying plant parts (clean scissors with bleach before and after) Apply a copper soap fungicide every 7-10 days until mold is gone Reduce watering frequency Water soil directly and gently shake excess droplets from leaves Read more
