Do mealybugs spread to other plants?

Yes, they can crawl or be carried by drafts to nearby plants. Keep the infested plant away from others until it is clean.

Should I use a pesticide?

Start with rubbing alcohol or insecticidal soap first. These are usually enough to handle a small infestation.

What are these white cottony spots on my Chinese Evergreen?

Check these first

Look closely at the joints where leaves meet the stem.
Check the undersides of all leaves for sticky residue.
Isolate the plant from your other houseplants.

Likely causes

Mealybugs
Most likely
How to tell: You see small white cottony masses in the leaf axils or under the leaves.
What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly onto the bugs to kill them. Follow up by wiping the leaves with a mild insecticidal soap.
New Plant Introduction
Possible
How to tell: Pests appear shortly after bringing a new plant home.
What to do: Always quarantine new plants for two weeks before placing them near your other greenery. Check the undersides of leaves carefully during this time.

When to worry

If the infestation is covering the entire plant and leaves are dropping, it is a serious situation that requires aggressive treatment.

Stopping it coming back

Wipe down your leaves monthly with a damp cloth to keep them clean and monitor for early signs of pests.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your chinese evergreen.

This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

Get the app

Questions people ask

Do mealybugs spread to other plants?: Yes, they can crawl or be carried by drafts to nearby plants. Keep the infested plant away from others until it is clean.
Should I use a pesticide?: Start with rubbing alcohol or insecticidal soap first. These are usually enough to handle a small infestation.