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Magnolia

Why are there bugs on my magnolia?

It is less common for magnolias to have pests, but scale insects or aphids can occasionally settle on the stems or undersides of leaves. Check the undersides of your leaves and the stems for small bumps or sticky residue first.

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of leaves for tiny clusters of insects.
  2. Look for sticky residue on the leaves or the ground beneath the plant.
  3. Check the stems for small, hard, brown bumps.

Likely causes

  1. Scale insects

    Possible

    How to tell: You will see small, brown, raised bumps that look like tiny shells on the stems or leaf veins. These insects suck sap and often leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew.

    What to do: Scrape off the visible scales with a soft cloth or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, spray the entire plant with horticultural oil or neem oil every 7 to 10 days until they are gone.

  2. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: These are tiny, soft bodied insects that cluster on new growth and flower buds. They cause leaves to look curled or distorted and leave a shiny, sticky residue.

    What to do: Wash the plant with a strong stream of water from a hose to knock them off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your magnolia

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

You should worry if the leaves begin to yellow or drop prematurely due to the stress of the infestation. A few bugs are manageable, but a heavy coating of scale can weaken the tree over time.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your magnolia healthy with proper watering and airflow to make it less attractive to pests. Regularly inspect the plant during the spring when new growth appears.

Magnolia: pests? Check yours with a photo

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

Can I use dish soap to kill the bugs?
It is better to use a dedicated insecticidal soap. Household dish soap can sometimes be too harsh and might damage the leaves of your magnolia.
Will these bugs kill my magnolia?
Usually no, but they can stunt growth and cause leaf drop if left untreated for a long time. Early detection is the best way to keep your tree thriving.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Magnolia

Back to the Magnolia 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.