White, fluffy substance on plant - Ask Extension
I am concerned about a plant which is currently indoors and at the window. I don't know the name of the plant but over the last several days I have no...
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White, fluffy substance on plant #859093
Asked February 13, 2024, 5:26 PM EST
I am concerned about a plant which is currently indoors and at the window. I don't know the name of the plant but over the last several days I have noticed a white, fluffy substance on the long thin leaves; it has the appearance of fake snow. What action should I take? Thanks, Elizabeth
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Elizabeth -
What you have there looks like scale, although it might be mealy bugs. The yellow spots make me think it might be a scale insect. Since I wouldn’t recommend spraying it outdoors right now, I would think that the best thing to do is the following:
1. Get a small empty sprayer. Add some isopropyl alcohol, and mix it with a bit of water.
2. Add a little dish soap to the sprayer and shake it up. The dish soap will help the mixture to spread and cover the area better.
3. Spray your plant, and get the top and bottom of each leaf.
4. Take a paper towel and pull it gently across the leaf top and bottom, to be sure the leaves are clean.
5. Follow up with a spray of water and horticultural oil. Be sure to get the top and bottom of each leaf. You can use Neem oil, peppermint oil or even mineral oil mixed with warm water. Keep shaking it as you spray the leaves.
This idea is a safe way to kill bugs in the house without using dangerous chemicals. Keep an eye on the plant, and spray as needed. Different bugs have different life cycles and with some it’s difficult to eliminate the bug and its eggs and nymphs all at once. If this plant continues to have problems with insects please write back. There are chemicals that do a more thorough job than this method.
I hope this will help you solve your problem.
What you have there looks like scale, although it might be mealy bugs. The yellow spots make me think it might be a scale insect. Since I wouldn’t recommend spraying it outdoors right now, I would think that the best thing to do is the following:
1. Get a small empty sprayer. Add some isopropyl alcohol, and mix it with a bit of water.
2. Add a little dish soap to the sprayer and shake it up. The dish soap will help the mixture to spread and cover the area better.
3. Spray your plant, and get the top and bottom of each leaf.
4. Take a paper towel and pull it gently across the leaf top and bottom, to be sure the leaves are clean.
5. Follow up with a spray of water and horticultural oil. Be sure to get the top and bottom of each leaf. You can use Neem oil, peppermint oil or even mineral oil mixed with warm water. Keep shaking it as you spray the leaves.
This idea is a safe way to kill bugs in the house without using dangerous chemicals. Keep an eye on the plant, and spray as needed. Different bugs have different life cycles and with some it’s difficult to eliminate the bug and its eggs and nymphs all at once. If this plant continues to have problems with insects please write back. There are chemicals that do a more thorough job than this method.
I hope this will help you solve your problem.
