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Common lime · Tilia europaea

Why are my common lime leaves covered in sticky stuff?

Common lime trees are magnets for aphids, which leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew. This often leads to a black, sooty mold growth on the leaves. Check your tree for tiny green or black insects on the undersides of the foliage.

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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 small insects.
  2. Check for a sticky residue on the foliage.
  3. Look for ants, which often farm aphids.

Likely causes

  1. Aphid infestation

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see sticky honeydew on the leaves and small clusters of insects on new growth.

    What to do: Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water to dislodge the aphids. For heavy infestations, apply insecticidal soap every 7 days until the pests are gone.

  2. Sooty mold growth

    Possible

    How to tell: Black, powdery patches appear on the leaves after aphid activity.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove the mold. Focus on controlling the aphid population to prevent the mold from returning.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common lime

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

Small numbers of aphids are normal for a healthy tree. Worry if the entire canopy is sticky or if the tree shows signs of stress like leaf curling.

Stopping it coming back

Encourage natural predators like ladybugs in your garden. Keep the tree healthy with proper watering so it can withstand minor pest pressure.

Common lime: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common lime 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 aphids kill my common lime?
Usually no, they just make a mess. A healthy tree can handle a moderate population without long term damage.
Is the sticky stuff harmful to me?
No, it is just sugar water excreted by the aphids. It can be annoying if it drips onto your patio or car.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Common lime

Back to the Common lime 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.