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Sedum

What are these white fuzzy spots on my stonecrop?

Those fuzzy white spots are likely mealybugs, which are sap sucking pests that hide in the crevices of your plant. Check the undersides of leaves and where stems meet for these tiny invaders.

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

Check these first

  1. Look closely at the leaf joints for white fluff.
  2. Check under the leaves for sticky residue.
  3. Isolate the plant from your other succulents.

Likely causes

  1. Mealybugs

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see white, cottony masses on the stems or leaf joints.

    What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly onto the bugs to kill them. Repeat this every few days until they are gone.

  2. New Plant Infestation

    Possible

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

    What to do: Isolate the new plant from your others immediately. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil following the label instructions.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your sedum

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 and the leaves are shriveling, it may be too late to save it.

Stopping it coming back

Inspect new plants before bringing them home and keep your stonecrop in a well ventilated area.

Sedum: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your sedum 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 these bugs spread to my other plants?
Yes, mealybugs move easily between plants. Keep the infested plant away from your collection until it is clean.
Can I use water to wash them off?
A strong spray of water can help dislodge them, but rubbing alcohol is more effective at killing them.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Sedum

Back to the Sedum 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.