Everything About Succulent Aphids – How To Deal With Aphids On Succulents

Succulent care might require a lot. These beautiful creatures need time, effort, and patience to thrive beautifully. Various care instructions must be made, from having enough sunlight, a proper watering schedule, ideal temperature or humidity levels, and regular pruning or repotting. Also, an essential factor to consider is the most common pests and diseases that your succulent might encounter. Pests and diseases care and elimination is crucial to ensure your plant is safe and healthy. For this article, we will discuss black aphids on succulents. Continue reading and learn how to eliminate black aphids on succulents and other essential reminders when dealing with succulent aphids.

What Are Black Aphids?

Aphids are tiny pests often found in clusters on the undersides of your succulents’ leaves. Succulent aphids have soft and broad bodies and can be wingless or winged. Aphids tend to grow wings when the population becomes too dense. This scenario is problematic and can be considered a severe problem for succulents. Usually, succulent aphids are in season during the warmer seasons. Aside from black aphids, other variations can be pale green, yellow, or even pink.

How Black Aphids Damage Succulents?

Aphids on succulents can be very dangerous to your plant. Succulent aphids poke holes in your plant and suck its sap using their pointed mouth. When lightly infested, the succulents can be shriveled and stunted. When untreated, aphids on succulents can kill your plant. Removing the succulent aphids’ eggs (usually found in multiple colors) in severe cases would be very difficult. Removing the sap from your plant can cause deformation on its leaves. Succulent aphids also produce a sticky residue called honeydew. What’s also alarming about this is that honeydew might develop different fungi infections that could affect the photosynthesis of your succulents. Aside from these, succulent aphids can carry viruses from one plant to another. As we know, it is essential to avoid any spread of viruses.

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What Causes Black Aphids On Succulents?

Among the known causes of black aphids on succulents are damp soil and midges. These small, winged insects occur in soggy soil, eventually attacking your succulents’ base or leaves. This situation is the perfect example of why it is essential to avoid overwatering your succulents. Pests and diseases are often a result of overwatering, root rot, poor air condition or ventilation, and lack of pruning. Succulent aphids still live by those dead leaves clustered by the base of your plant.

Read More: How To Get Rid Of Mealybugs On Succulents

How To Recognize Black Aphids On Your Succulents

Generally, it is easy to recognize black aphids on your succulents. Succulent aphids are typically about 1 mm in size, and you may notice these winged or wingless tiny insects crawling over your succulent leaf. To successfully detect if there are any black aphids on succulents, you need to check your succulent closely every two days. Please note that it is better to detect succulent aphids earlier to prevent spreading and severe damage to your plant. A common symptom of black aphids on succulents is ants around your plant. Remember that succulent aphids produce honeydew that is very attractive to ants. Another symptom has sooty molds on your succulents. This is typically the dark and dirty-looking matter around your succulent.

How To Get Rid Of Black Aphids

If you have already considered how to get rid of black aphids on succulents, you might already accept that there are pests on your plant. Aphids on succulents can be dangerous, but you can eliminate them with early detection. Fortunately, also, succulent aphids have a naturally short life cycle. You can wash off with water the aphids on succulents. This is why proper watering and washing are crucial to your succulent’s health. Just make sure that you are also not overwatering your succulents.

Aside from just plain water, you might also want to try another solution by mixing two cups of water, one teaspoon of vegetable oil, and one teaspoon of liquid soap. Combine these ingredients, put them in a bottle, and spray them on succulents to eliminate your black aphids. You may also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra punch. Wait a few hours and wipe your succulent with a slightly damp cloth. Don’t leave the solution too long, as soap and oil might harm your succulents. You must repeat this step for a few days for this solution to work.

Lastly, you might want to try using a rubbing alcohol solution to eliminate aphids on succulents. It is advisable to use 70% isopropyl alcohol solution and combine it with five cups of water and one teaspoon of liquid soap. Same with the first solution, place these ingredients inside a bottle, shake, and spray on your succulents. Wait for a few days or the succulent to completely dry before repeating the process.

You probably asked yourself, should I bring my succulent with aphids outside? It might help as succulent aphids prefer cool, damp, and private settings. Bringing your succulent outdoors might shake things up for the black aphids and help eliminate these pests.

What Are Black Aphids Predators?

Another way to eliminate black aphids on succulents is to use predators. These are the usage of natural enemies of black aphids. The most common types are lacewing larvae, parasitoid wasps, predatory midges, rove beetles, and ladybirds. You can naturally acquire these predators, or you may also buy these at your local garden centers.

Follow Succulent City on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram for more informative & interesting content about succulents & cacti 🙂 Join the discussions at our Facebook Group, “Succulent City Plant Lounge.” Happy planting, and live the moment!

Final Words

By this article’s end, we hope you are more equipped to deal with succulent aphids. We know you have thought that having succulents is an easy job. It is, but like all living things, a certain amount of love and kindness is still required to grow. Black aphids are just one of the pests you might need to conquer, but if you keep your mind open and get interested in taking good care of your succulents, they will indeed thrive. We can’t wait to see your beautiful and thriving houseplants!