scale infestation on Houseplant
Quick answer
If your Houseplant has scale infestation, the most likely cause is: Scale insects (mealy bugs and soft scales) attach to stems and leaf undersides, feeding on sap and excreting honeydew leading to sooty mold and plant weakening
Start here:
- 1. Identify scale by distinctive bumps or white cottony masses on plant tissue
- 2. Swab affected areas with cotton wool soaked in methylated spirits to dissolve waxy coating
Why Houseplant gets scale infestation
Scale insects (mealy bugs and soft scales) attach to stems and leaf undersides, feeding on sap and excreting honeydew leading to sooty mold and plant weakening
How to reverse scale infestation on Houseplant
- 1
Identify scale by distinctive bumps or white cottony masses on plant tissue
- 2
Swab affected areas with cotton wool soaked in methylated spirits to dissolve waxy coating
- 3
Apply systemic insecticide if infestation is severe
- 4
For mealy bugs (white woolly patches), same methylated spirits treatment is effective
- 5
Repeat treatment at 2-week intervals to catch newly hatched crawlers
- 6
Inspect especially leaf joints and stem crevices where scales hide
Keep scale infestation off this Houseplant
Quarantine new plants. Inspect regularly at leaf joints and stem bases. Immediate isolated treatment at first sign of infestation.