How To Deal With Powdery Mildew On Succulents

Succulents, in general, are low maintenance and known to be beginner-friendly plants. However, proper environment and succulent care are still required to ensure your plant grows to its full potential. Understanding the common pests and diseases that your succulent might experience is crucial. Powdery mildew might be a common infection that your succulent needs to avoid.

What Is Powdery Mildew & How Does It Looks?

Powdery mildew is a fungus that commonly infects a wide variety of plants. Powdery mildew on succulents appears as light grey or white powdery spots underneath the leaves or on the stems, flowers, fruits, or vegetables. Usually, when it starts to infect your plant, it will appear as dusted circular white powder on succulents.

What Causes Powdery Mildew On Succulents?

It is caused by the fungus ‘Podosphaera xanthii’. Powdery mildew on succulents prefers humid weather conditions and temperatures around 69 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. In this type of environment, new spores can spread like a disease. Another common cause of powdery mildew on succulents is when the water stays wet for too long. Lastly, placing your succulent in a dark environment can also cause white spots on succulents.

How Powdery Mildew Spreads On Succulents? Can We Stop it?

Powdery mildew on succulents may spread when infected parts come in contact with other parts of the plant. By reducing overcrowding through pruning, you may stop the spread of powdery mildew on succulents. Ensure to avoid touching any infected areas and transferring powdery mildew on succulents. Aside from pruning, it is also advisable to isolate any infected succulent.

Treatment For Powdery Mildew On Succulents

There are several ways to treat your infected succulent. You may treat powdery mildew on succulents with insecticidal soap, neem oil, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and mouthwash. When using neem oil, baking soda, and insecticidal soap, mix one tablespoon of the treatments into a gallon of water.

Apply or spray the solution on the infected area of the succulent only. Avoid putting the solution on the soil, as it can damage the roots. Use this every two weeks or until the white spots on the succulents disappear. When using hydrogen peroxide, like other treatments, dissolve a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide solution in a gallon of water.

Mouthwash also works well in removing white spots on succulents. It also prevents deer, raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits from eating your succulents. However, please note that its potency loses after several days, so you’ll most likely have to prepare a new batch every time you treat your succulent.

Preventing Powdery Mildew On Succulents

Make sure that you do not overwater your succulent. A moist environment is the number cause of powdery mildew on succulents. Check if the soil is arid before watering. Provide an environment for your succulent that have proper air and sunlight. Allow your succulent to have at least 6 hours of fresh air if possible, do not directly expose it to hot afternoon sunlight. When you see white spots on succulents, do not panic; prune and isolate immediately.

Other Pests Like Powdery Mildew

• Mealybugs: These are small oval insects covered in wax that looks powdery white. When they lay eggs, the wax covers the eggs and turns them into looking like puffs of cotton. Read more about mealy bugs >>
• Farina And Coating: These are the natural coating of wax that forms a white or blueish silver film on the leaves and stems of your succulents. Therefore, despite their unpleasing appearance, these natural waxes have a purpose for your succulent well-being: natural sunscreen and raincoat for succulents.
• Minerals: Some minerals result in white spots on succulents and are mistaken to look like powdery mildew. What is essential is to pay attention to your succulents and any new white spots that may appear on them.

A Few Final Words

Powdery mildew on succulents might not be life-threatening. However, it can easily infect your plant, putting its well-being in danger. Be attentive to any white spots on succulents, prune, and isolate immediately to avoid further unnecessary infection.