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Panda plant · Kalanchoe tomentosa

What are these white cottony spots on my Panda Plant?

Those white, fuzzy spots are likely mealybugs, which love to hide in the fuzzy leaves of your Panda Plant. They feed on the sap and can quickly weaken your plant if left alone.

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

Check these first

  1. Look closely in the leaf joints for white fuzz.
  2. Check the undersides of the leaves.
  3. Isolate the plant from others.

Likely causes

  1. Mealybug Infestation

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small, white, cotton-like masses in the leaf crevices or along the stems.

    What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly onto the pests to kill them. Repeat this every few days until you no longer see any bugs.

  2. New Plant Introduction

    Possible

    How to tell: Pests appearing shortly after bringing a new plant home.

    What to do: Always quarantine new plants for 2 weeks before placing them near your other houseplants. If you find bugs, isolate the infected plant immediately to stop the spread.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your panda plant

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

If the infestation covers the entire plant, it is very difficult to treat. A few spots are easy to manage with a quick wipe down.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy and dust-free, and inspect it regularly during your watering routine.

Panda plant: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your panda plant 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

Will soap kill mealybugs?
A mild insecticidal soap can work, but be careful with the fuzzy leaves of the Panda Plant as they can be sensitive.
Do I need to throw the plant away?
Not usually. Mealybugs are manageable if you are persistent with cleaning them off.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Panda plant

Back to the Panda plant 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.