Can I use neem oil on my Aeonium?

Yes, but use it sparingly as it can sometimes burn the leaves. Test a small area first.

Are these spots contagious to my other plants?

If the spots are fungal, they can spread through water droplets. It is best to isolate the plant until it is healthy.

Why does my Aeonium have spots? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the leaf axils for white cottony residue.
Check if the spots are soft or sunken.
Ensure the plant is not sitting in a stagnant, humid area.

Likely causes

Fungal Leaf Spot
Most likely
How to tell: Small brown or black circular spots appear on the leaves, often with a yellow halo. This happens when the foliage stays wet for too long.
What to do: Remove the affected leaves to prevent the spread. Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid getting water on the leaves when you irrigate.
Mealybug Damage
Possible
How to tell: You see small white cottony clusters in the leaf axils. The spots are often yellow or discolored areas where the insects have fed.
What to do: Dab the white clusters with a cotton swab dipped in 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. Check the plant weekly to ensure no new pests appear.

Find out what's wrong with your aeonium

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If the spots are spreading rapidly across the entire rosette, you need to act quickly to save the plant. A few small spots on older bottom leaves are usually normal.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the leaves dry and provide plenty of fresh air movement around your plant.

Keep your aeonium healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I use neem oil on my Aeonium?: Yes, but use it sparingly as it can sometimes burn the leaves. Test a small area first.
Are these spots contagious to my other plants?: If the spots are fungal, they can spread through water droplets. It is best to isolate the plant until it is healthy.

Why does my Aeonium have spots?