Will these bugs kill my plant?

They can weaken the plant by sucking out the sap. If left untreated for a long time, the plant will struggle and eventually die.

Should I use pesticides?

Start with gentle methods like rubbing alcohol or neem oil. Harsh chemicals are usually not necessary for Indian Borage.

What are these white spots on my Indian Borage?

Check these first

Look closely at the leaf joints for cottony white fluff.
Check the undersides of leaves for tiny moving specks.
Inspect the stems for fine webbing.

Likely causes

Mealybugs
Most likely
How to tell: You see small, white, fuzzy masses on the stems or undersides of leaves.
What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly onto the pests. Repeat this every few days until they are gone.
Spider Mites
Possible
How to tell: Tiny yellow stippling on leaves and very fine webbing between stems.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the webs. Increase humidity around the plant and spray with neem oil once a week.

When to worry

If the plant is covered in pests and the leaves are dropping, it is a serious infestation. A few bugs are easy to manage if you act quickly.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the leaves clean by wiping them occasionally and keep the plant away from other infested houseplants.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your indian borage.

This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf 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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Questions people ask

Will these bugs kill my plant?: They can weaken the plant by sucking out the sap. If left untreated for a long time, the plant will struggle and eventually die.
Should I use pesticides?: Start with gentle methods like rubbing alcohol or neem oil. Harsh chemicals are usually not necessary for Indian Borage.