Powdery mildew is a common problem outdoors. But can the white coating also appear on indoor plants? Or are these symptoms a completely different leaf disease? In this article you will find out how dangerous a white covering is for your indoor plants, where the causes lie and how you can remove the damage.
Mealybugs can be recognized by white fluffy balls on the leaves
causes
There are two possible reasons for a white coating on indoor plants. On the one hand it can be a pest infestation, on the other hand mold is a possible reason.
pests as a cause
A pest infestation can again be divided into three possible causes:
- mildew
- Mealybug
- gall mites
Powdery mildew is caused by aphids that suck the sap from the plant with their mouthparts. Later they leave excretions on the leaves, a white film that can be wiped off with a finger. To determine whether it really is aphids, it is worth taking a look at the underside of the leaf. The little animals are more frequent here. Their body color varies from green to red, yellow or brown.
You can hose off aphids with water or apply a solution of water and neem or canola oil to the leaves.
Mealybugs also leave a greasy, white film on the leaves. Since this sticks in contrast to powdery mildew, it is also referred to as honeydew. It is also possible that small, white dots appear on the leaves. In this case, it is not a covering, but the pests themselves. If you look closely, you will see mealybugs as white, cotton ball-like animals. The following symptoms are typical of an infestation
- white spots on the leaves that merge into each other
- yellow dried leaves
- honeydew
In order to protect neighboring plants, you should isolate your affected houseplant first. Here, too, a tincture of neem oil helps against the infestation.
Unlike mealybugs, gall mites are so small that they are almost invisible to the human eye. Their body only grows to a size of 0.2 mm. Their legacies are similar to powdery mildew. The white coating has a clearly noticeable fluff. When using a pesticide, you must pay attention to the underside of the leaves and the leaf axils, as animals tend to stay here.