Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Look closely for fine webbing between branches.
- Check for small, stationary bumps on the stems.
- Wipe the needles to see if any sticky residue comes off.
Likely causes
Spider Mites
Most likelyHow to tell: You will notice fine, silk-like webbing between the needles. The foliage may look dusty or lose its vibrant green color.
What to do: Wash the plant down with a steady stream of water. Apply insecticidal soap every 7 days for 3 weeks to ensure you catch any hatching eggs.
Scale Insects
RareHow to tell: These look like small, stationary bumps on the stems or needles. They often leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew.
What to do: Gently scrape off the scale insects with a soft brush or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, use a horticultural oil spray.
Find out what's wrong with your blue cypress
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
If you see heavy webbing covering the entire tree, the infestation is severe. Small numbers of pests are manageable if you act immediately.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the tree healthy with proper watering and avoid placing it in areas with stagnant, hot air.
Blue cypress: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your blue cypress 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Are these bugs harmful to other plants?
- Yes, spider mites can easily spread to nearby houseplants. Isolate your cypress until you are sure the pests are gone.
- Can I use chemical pesticides?
- It is better to start with gentle options like water sprays or insecticidal soap. Harsh chemicals can sometimes damage the delicate foliage of a cypress.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Blue cypress
Back to the Blue cypress 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.