Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Touch the spots to see if they are hard or soft.
- Check if the spots are spreading to other pads.
- Look for signs of pests near the spots.
Likely causes
Fungal infection
Most likelyHow to tell: The spots are soft, fuzzy, or spreading across the surface of the pads. They often appear after the plant has been sitting in high humidity.
What to do: Increase airflow around the plant and keep the pads dry. Use a clean knife to remove severely affected pads and treat the area with a copper fungicide.
Physical damage
PossibleHow to tell: The spots are hard, dry, and do not change size over time. These are usually scars from bumps or scratches.
What to do: No action is needed for old scars. Just be careful when handling the plant to avoid further marks.
Find out what's wrong with your bunny ears cactus
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
Worry if the spots are soft, wet, or growing in size. Hard, dry spots are just character marks and are perfectly normal.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the pads dry and ensure the plant has plenty of space for air to circulate.
Bunny Ears Cactus: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bunny ears cactus 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 spots pests?
- Sometimes scale insects look like brown bumps. Try to gently scrape one off with a fingernail; if it comes off, it is a pest.
- Should I mist my cactus?
- No, never mist your cactus. Misting leads to fungal spots and rot.
More problems with Bunny Ears Cactus
Back to the Bunny Ears Cactus 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.