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Sasanqua camellia · Camellia sasanqua

What are these white patches on my Sasanqua camellia?

Those white, cottony patches on the undersides of your leaves are likely tea scale, a common pest for Sasanquas. Inspect the leaves closely to confirm the presence of these tiny insects.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Look at the underside of the leaves for white cottony fluff.
  2. Check for sticky residue on the leaves or stems.
  3. Inspect new growth for curling or distortion.

Likely causes

  1. Tea Scale

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see white, fuzzy patches on the undersides of leaves and yellow spots on the upper leaf surfaces.

    What to do: Apply horticultural oil or neem oil to the undersides of the leaves. Repeat the application every 7 to 10 days for three rounds to catch the insects as they hatch.

  2. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: New growth looks curled or distorted and there is a sticky substance on the leaves.

    What to do: Spray the plant with a strong stream of water to knock them off. If they persist, use insecticidal soap once a week until they disappear.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your sasanqua camellia

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.

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When to worry

Small infestations are manageable, but heavy scale can weaken the plant significantly. Treat as soon as you see the first signs to prevent spread.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant healthy with proper watering and prune for airflow to discourage pest buildup.

Sasanqua camellia: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your sasanqua camellia and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Do I need to prune off infested leaves?
If the infestation is very localized, pruning those branches can help reduce the population. Otherwise, oil treatments are very effective.
Can these pests kill my camellia?
A severe, untreated scale infestation can weaken the plant over time, making it susceptible to other diseases. It is best to treat it early.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Sasanqua camellia

Back to the Sasanqua camellia guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.