Succulent Pests and Problems Q&A Forum
Got a mystery malady?
Start with this site's Succulent Pests, Diseases and Problems resource page, where you'll find 30+ succulent concerns. For each I show a photo, explain the severity (from normal to fatal), describe the problem, and tell what action to take if any.
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Please post a comment below, so others can see it and benefit from the answer as well. Your own tried-and-true solutions are welcome, too!
This page is a forum for you to ask questions and share what works for you.
So, if you have pests, problems or concerns that aren't answered elsewhere, do let me know...HERE please, rather than emailing me---unless you absolutely need to...
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any idea what's wrong with these?
Check out my gallery of as-yet-unknown succulent pests and problems. Recognize what's going on with any of them? If so, do leave a comment below. (Kindly refer to them by caption info.) Thanks!
Related info
Uh-oh, Is My Succulent Sick? Common pests, diseases and problems, plus solutions
Succulent Pests, Diseases and Problems Keep your succulents healthy, happy and looking their very best WEEVIL ALERT: The agave snout-nosed weevil is a major pest in ever-increasing numbers. Don’t wait for signs of infestation; take preventative measures NOW to protect your agaves, furcraeas, yuccas, beaucarneas and mangaves. Please don’t let your yard become a breeding ground for pests that move…
Agave Snout Weevil Prevention and Treatment
Agave snout-nosed weevil is a half-inch-long black beetle with a downward-curving proboscis that enables it to pierce an agave’s core, where it lays its eggs. Grubs hatch, consume the agave’s heart, then burrow into the soil to pupate.
How to Deal with Mealy Bugs on Succulents
If you grow succulents, sooner or later you’ll deal with mealy bugs. For newbies, mealies often come as a surprise. Suddenly the plants are dotted and webbed with what looks like lint. Veterans are more vigilant. We check for
Hi Debra ,
I have learned a lot from your site about succulents and their care.
Especially helpful to me is the information you provided on the snout nose weevil.
Unfortunately, all of my various agaves have been attacked. It took me over 3 hours to dig up around 50 in various sizes. Many more hours treating the soil for the larve and the plants. I was able to save 90 percent.
I am so glad you included the information on the treatment and prevention. By the way, most folks I talk to are unaware of the pest even at some major nursery’s in the north county of San Diego where I reside. It’s hard to believe that most people are unaware of this garden pest!
Hi Lizzy — I know. Drives me nuts. I do my best to get the word out, but you’re right, most folks and even nursery employees are unaware of agave snout-nose weevil. I guess no one wants to hear bad news or to be told they need to tackle an unpleasant, time-consuming task. It’s only the true gardeners—people like you, me and Jeanne Meadow—who want to know what’s threatening our private Edens and quickly take action to prevent it. But hey, isn’t it terrific that you salvaged 90%? Round of applause, girl! That’s how it’s done! — Debra
Hi Debra I am in central California and some of my succulents are wrinkling and are black or have black spots at the beginning of the leaf where it connects to the stem. We have treated these succulents to a systemic insecticide three or four weeks ago. Some of the leaves have turned brown at the end and some of the stems are black
Hi Hannah — Can you be more specific about what kind of succulent they are? There are so many! If you’d like to email me photos, you can do so in response to my newsletter. (You can sign up on the Home page and unsubscribe any time.)
Hi Debra,
Such a helpful guide to those tricky pests and problems.
What can you tell us about why Aloe tips turn brown? I’ve seen it on several varieties of mine and in others gardens, but most common on the ones with longer leaves, like Marlothii and Dichotoma. It doesn’t resemble a insect pest damage, nor from physical trauma. I’m in Los Angeles about 5 miles from the coast, so we do get dew regularly.
Thanks for any tips you can offer.
Cheers, Richard
Hi Richard — Yep. Right now I have an Aloe thraskii that has unsightly browned (then whitened) leaf tips, and I’m debating what to do about it. On the one hand, they protect the rest of the leaf and those beneath from harsh sun and temperature extremes. On the other, I’m tired of looking at them. To answer your question, leaf tip desiccation is usually an aftermath of frost or scorching sun. It can also be related to under-watering…the plant can’t manage to pump water all the way to the tips (not enough hydraulic pressure). It’s not caused by overwatering…that’s when the core rots, not the tips. Some species are prone to leaf-tip desiccation, especially spotted ones (A. maculata and hybrids) and IMHO the way the dry tips curl looks kind of cool. When trimming any pointed succulent leaf (including agaves), make two cuts to create an outward-pointing “V,” so the cut isn’t as noticeable as straight across. Thanks for the comment!
I have squirrels chewing on my succulents. Any advice?
If you live in an area where predators like coyotes are kept out (like a gated community), bunnies and squirrels may be prolific. Some measures that can help include: Installing an owl box; dusting the plants with crushed red chilis or spraying a squirrel repellent. Also there are solar- and battery-powered electronic devices that emit a high-frequency sound that repels squirrels and the like. This one, for about $30 on Amazon, can be set for cats, dogs, skunks, squirrels and raccoons.
I actually caught one this morning using a trap. I wanted to post a picture here but I do not know how. However, Amazon sells a similar trap for $20, called “Heavy Duty Squirrel Trap Chipmunk Trap and Other Similar-Size Rodents”. If you have a garden, you must have one of these because it is the only product I know that works every time. (Very good in catching rabbits, too). I used four pieces of almonds as bait. Any nuts, except peanuts, will do as bait for squirrels. Make sure that you release the squirrel far from your garden because squirrels will easily find their way back to your garden if released nearby. It is worth driving a couple of miles away to release this creature in the open. Good Luck!
Hi George — Good to know, especially about the almonds. No wonder squirrels leave my bird feeders alone. I’ve read that squirrels can find their way home if released within 7 miles. (They did studies after painting tails, transporting, and releasing.) Now here’s the thing: No one wants a squirrel released on their property, and it’s illegal to release one on public land, so where do you take it? Maybe to the beach (beyond the surf break)? Don’t answer that.
Hi Debra – Good point. One must check with their Fish and Game local agency office to make sure regulations are abided by when dealing with game and non-game mammals.
I’m pretty sure it is against state law to take rodents and vermin off your own property. Besides, when you dump them someplace else they are in an established area for others of their kind, and those others are not welcoming: they kill the dropped off intruders. If you are going to catch them you probably should just drown them on your own property.
Yep. I agree.
I have purchased covers you can put on top of your plants and you can remove them anytime, I have used them for years and you can purchase them on amazon, they are called netted plant covers
I have raccoons in my neighborhood. My front yard is full of succulents and vegetable plants. The raccoons paw through the dirt at night looking for delicious grubs. I placed medium sized black lava rocks around the roots of my vegetable plants. The raccoons can dig for grubs in areas between the plant rows. Works for all of us. I used to have bunnies and squirrels in my backyard. Getting 4 dogs seems to have solved that problem. The only animal brave enough to go back there is the opossum who taunts the dogs from the fence.
Help!!!! At my wits end with an infestation of what I think is mealy bugs on my beloved Jade plant. I’ve sprayed the plant with 70% Isopropyl alcohol repeatedly and still have a problem. Not too mention hard to spray in the shower with the smell!!! I live in Denver so needless to say its cold here! There is damage/scarring where the leaves meet the stem and in the middle of some of the leaves. The plant is very big and dense so its difficult to spray into the middle and hit all the leaves and underneath. The plant is very heavy but we do have some warmer weather this week that I can take it outside to spray the plant with alcohol heavily. Short of cutting off every leaf, is there anything else I can try? Is there a safe systemic insecticide to try? I have all your books, watch your You Tube videos and follow you on Instagram! I feel I am doing what I need to do but don’t seem to getting rid of these pests! Before I get overcome with alcohol or do major surgery, do you have any suggestions?
I so appreciate your help! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Kristi
Hi Kristi —
Once a mealy bug infestation gets that bad, conventional wisdom is to get rid of the plant. But this one is important to you, so here are some things to try:
— Take it outside on a warm day (above 40 degrees) and hose it down. It’s OK if some leaves fall off. If they’re that loose, they probably would anyway.
— Repot it. Mealies can get in the soil.
— If that’s not possible, fill a bucket with water and add systemic insecticide “for sucking insects” and use per label directions. Wear gloves. Brands available on Amazon are BioAdvanced and Monterey Systemic Soil Drench. Let sit until the soil is soaked—an hour or so.
— After it’s hosed (and/or soaked), drench leaves and stems with dilute insecticide. Let the plant dry before bringing it back into the house.
OK, now the bugs are killed. You still need to prevent an infestation from recurring.
— Do NOT put the plant back where it was. However, DO clean the area thoroughly, because mealies can hide in, and lay eggs in, the tiniest crevices.
— Check other potted plants for the pests. Indoor plants can be breeding grounds. Get rid of or isolate any that have the problem. Treat with alcohol. If plants are severely infested but are worth saving, follow the steps above.
— Good air circulation is key to keeping airborne pests from settling in. To help it recover over the winter, you might put your jade under full-spectrum lights and use a fan (both on a 12-hour timer).
— Consider thinning it out so air circulates through the plant. Jade cuttings are as good as having new plants, they’re that easy to start.
Keep me posted on the patient’s progress!
Hi Debra,
The mealy bug topic could use some more info I think.
How do those insects spread in the first place, besides a human moving them maybe by using contaminated soil from another plant with them? I think its ants that plant them, to then eat the sticky stuff they seem to make.
Will they crawl from plant to plant, fly?
Is the tiny crawling form a larvae that will turn into a fly?
That matters as it explains how they might spread, and what stage we are killing them at, and what chemicals work on what stage.
I use Bioadvanced 3 in 1 insect disease and mite control, not the one you listed. I use it on all plants in the yard and it works pretty well.
However, the mealys that hide under mounds of spempervivums are hard to get at. Even if you re-pot, they can hide in the soil and leaves.
I think that soil drench might be the trick.
I also use a toothbrush to remove them from leaves, so physical attention pays.
Anyway, would like to know more on how these things seem to survive and spread more, as things like ant spray might be in order too.
Hi James — Thank you for a well-thought-out comment. I do have an entire page devoted to mealy bugs that addresses much of this. The pests weigh less than nothing, so when plants are outdoors (or indoors with good air circulation) mealies generally aren’t a problem. On the other hand, their ubiquity is largely due to their landing on plants just like bits of dust do. Yes, they pupate, but they don’t fly. Re using a toothbrush, that might be OK on sempervivums, which have leaves like crisp paper, but it might damage the softer tissues of echeverias (which are candy to mealies) and certainly aeoniums, which tend to show black marks as a result of abrasion.
Per Planterina, male mealy bugs fly & mate with crawling females.
My Euphorbia Lactea ‘White Ghost’ has developed blackish-brown rings. Any idea how I treat this, please? You are welcome to use the picture if you’ve come across this before.
Hi Carole — Uh-oh. Sounds like rot. It’s super easy to overwater these plants. And even if you don’t, they’re finicky. Also possibly sunburn. You may need to take cuttings of the healthy tissue and restart it in fresh soil.
Hello, I am unsure what has happened to my cactus! Half of it has started to be covered by a sort of peeley white/ light brown layer and I am not sure what to do with it. I’d love to leave a picture but I can’t put it in the box.. thank you!
Hi Izzy — Sure sounds like a classic case of sunburn. Did you move it so that the side that was normally shaded was exposed? Happens all the time. Plus certain cacti are sensitive. WordPress won’t take comments with photos attached. But you can send a photo in a reply to my email newsletter.
Thank you! I did turn it around when I watered it I think, thanks for your advice! Do you know if there is a way to help get rid of it please?
Hi Izzy — Patience, hon. There’s no fixing it, but it will outgrow the damage as new leaves form and old ones are concealed and eventually wither and fall off.
My euphorbia ammaks has maybe the same issue yet I can not find ANYTHING online about it. Mine are pink polka dots and rings with some having brown or black centers and only on the Sun side. I’m not sure if they were inside before I purchased them but they’ve been in the same spot for months now maybe even a year and I live in seascape (Santa Cruz county between watsonville and Aptos)
I took it out of the ground and realized that it’s riots are minimal and not all that healthy looking which could be because I still had a bit of the original rock hard clay nearby beneath it. Not directly beneath. Just nearby on the lower end of the “pseudo slope” I have been trying to create. I’ve been working on a this area for years. low budget style unfortunately. Very recently I’ve been adding a lot of builders Sand and some compost and some perlite however I need to based on the suggestions I have found through the resources you have provided in your site. I am finally coming to the finale of this landscaping project, more like an endless struggle, and this euphorbia has been my inspiration for the entire design! I love it. Can I save it? At this point I am really getting so discouraged about the entire situation.
I dislike clay. Passionately.
I’ve seen similar issues on Euphorbia ammak in Santa Barbara. I wonder if their Cactus & Succulent Society might be able to help. Might be worth posting your question with a photo on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SantaBarbaraCactusSucculentSociety/.
Remember that the sap of Euphorbia ammak is very hazardous and can require an immediate trip to the Emergency Room if you get ANY in your eye. A friend was on moraphine for 5 weeks after the sap from an overhead pruning cut poured down into his eyes.
Euphorbia tirucalli ‘sticks on fire’ is equally hazardous.
Always good to be reminded—thanks, Tina! My English/Spanish video that explains and shows how to prune it is at https://youtu.be/DOykAxarerg.
Hi, I got this succulent in November to put in my dorm in the hallway/sink area. It usually gets splashed by a little water when someone uses the sink but not a lot. Above the sinks there is a light that’s usually always on. I noticed these brown spots only on this one succulent so I moved it to my room so it can sit on my window. It’s been a couple days and it’s still like this. What am I doing wrong?
(Selena emailed me a photo. You can do that too by simply clicking “reply” in response to one of my newsletters.)
Hi Selena — The plant in the foreground (Echeveria agavoides) is highly sensitive to overwatering. You can see it in my video on checking succulents after rainstorms (mine has red edges due to greater sunlight). You’ll find the first 2:10 minutes of the video the most helpful.
The succulents in back—aloe and crassula—are not as sensitive, but if it IS rot, it may spread through the soil and affect them as well. Remove, repot in fresh potting soil, give more light, and water sparingly. Remove any squishy leaves. (I’m guessing the lower ones might be.)
I’m concerned there may be unhealthy pathogens in the soil that the plants are growing in, so I’d rather you didn’t reuse it. You can buy a bagful of potting soil on Amazon for $4.99, or find it at any garden center. Or maybe drop by the gardening maintenance area of the college and ask for a few cupfuls. They probably have a mountain of it.
LMK how it goes —
Debra
Hi there! I bought a succulent log arrangement in the last month, and the one succulent in it has recently developed a problem and I can’t figure out what’s causing it! Someone has suggested that my house is too dry – but I’m not sure if that would cause these black/white spots to develop? I have watered it, but tried to be careful not to overwater! I’ve sent a picture, hoping you can help me 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Shelley — I’m guessing some sort of fungus, so if anything your house is not dry enough. The plants are starved for light—the way they’re showing a lighter green closer to the stem means they’re flattening to expose more tissue to available sun. Those crusty patches on the jade are troubling too, also possibly fungus or something more serious. Can you move it outdoors, but not into full sun right away? It needs time to acclimate. Keep it on the dry side. No water for awhile. I’m concerned those plants may rot.
Hi Debra!
I have/had a serious mycoplasma infection in my succulent planters (1/2 barrels) and have pulled out all the plants and trashed them. The plants more affected were my Dick Wright hybrids and echeverias prone to being a bit more fussy (warty hybrids are my faves- sea dragon, etna, etc). I had some Aeonium and hardier echeverias that were spared but lived next to diseased plants. Should those be tossed too? This is my 17th year growing succulents and a devastating first for me.
They all were in 2 half wine barrel planters My question for you is this: should I toss all the soil? Should I be concerned about the other plants in my yard? Is this infection airborne at all?
The soils used was not the issue. It was plants introduced to the barrels about 6 weeks ago. They were from a trusted seller and I didn’t quarantine like I usually do.
Any insight would be much appreciated.
Erika
Hi Erika — Yes, toss the soil. Don’t just dump it in the garden or compost pile, bag it for the trash. Repot possibly infected plants in fresh soil in pots where you can keep an eye on them. Disinfect the half barrels with dilute bleach before reusing them. As far as I know, this isn’t an airborne pathogen, but it seems likely wet soils could transmit it from one part of a garden to another. Important: Let the “trusted seller” know that they’re selling diseased plants, and ask for your money back! Btw, I updated the mycoplasma info on the Pests and Diseases Page recently, so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already. (Scroll down to “Crackled, Scabby Patches.”) Let me know how it goes—I’m rooting for you (no pun intended).
Thank you for your reply, Debra. I so appreciate it.
My pleasure, Erika!
I have recently discovered (thanks to your site) that I have had a E. red prince with a mycoplasma infection. It has been tossed along with the soil and some propped babies. Unfortunately it was in the same condition for a long time and I am unsure whether some issues that I’m seeing on other plants (some that were nearby and some that weren’t) are the beginnings of mycoplasma or some other type of damage or infection. I’ve had issues with mealies in the past but haven’t seen any in a while and have never seen any on the plants in question.
Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Yes it looks like mycoplasma, and unfortunately there’s no cure for it. It’s in the soil, so don’t reuse it.
I’ve corresponded with others who have had the same disappointment, and it can be heartbreaking. It’s important to let the nursery know that they’re selling infected plants. I’d ask them for a refund. If they offer you replacement plants or try to blow you off, I’d get heavy with them and say you don’t want to take any chances, and want your money back or you’ll post a warning about them on one of the big succulent Facebook groups. I’m not kidding. It’s just wrong. And it makes me mad!
I have a few green aeoniums that continue to grow in diameter but this year a couple of them have this odd yellow splotchiness. The splotches don’t look mushy and they aren’t dry. The texture of the leaves is uniform but the color is not. I’ve been searching the internet for an answer but I haven’t seen any photos of it. I don’t know if it’s a sun issue or a nutrient issue. Maybe they encountered cold or hot weather one day? (I’m in San Francisco.) I am hoping it’s not some kind of pest or infection. Any ideas? I wish I could post a photo!
I sent Michelle a direct email so she could reply with a photo attached. (You can also send me photos in reply to my e-newsletters.)
The yellow spots appear scalloped in places—so odd. The good news is that the plant looks healthy otherwise. It may just be a harmless plant virus, in which case you’ve got something intriguing but probably not valuable. (Not like, say, the plant virus that makes certain tulips desirable.)
As to how your aeonium caught it, it’s hard to say, but I wouldn’t worry about it. The new growth in the center looks unaffected, but may show symptoms as it matures, if I’m right about it being a virus.
I’m curious how the plant will look in a few months or so. Would you send more photos later on? In the meantime, I’ll be on the lookout for a succulent expert who might know.
Thanks for an intriguing challenge —
Two of my new succulents (pachyphytum oviferum and the other is a hookeri in a different pot) have several leaves that have bursted open dropping this little dark green pebbles that look like insect eggs leaving the leaves hollow, just the carcass. The green pebbles dry out in a few hours turning brown looking like bird droppings. I’ve removed the empty dry leaves and the stem and remaining leaves look healthy. I don’t understand what happened? Is this going to happen again? Is there something I should do? I couldn’t find anything on the topic in the web. I found a caterpillar on one of the plants if that’s helpful but they both come from different nurseries and keep them in different rooms. I have over 150 different kinds of succulents and had never seen this.
Ew. I hope someone else is familiar with this, because I’m not. It’s worthy of a horror movie. Where are you located? SO important to know when discussing insect pests.
Sounds like some some sort of worm to caterpillar is gnawing on your plant. When I see green or brown things that look like droppings along with hollowed out stems and leaves on any of my plants, I go on the hunt for the caterpillar invaders.
Hello. One of my succulents has white spores popping up on its arms. The succulent looks kinda like a bunch of noodles and I could not find the name of it. I am worried it could make my other succulents sick. I do not know if it is supposed to grow cotton fluff looking things and I could not find a picture of something similar growing on a succulent online.
Hi Kay — I’ll take a look. Cotton fluff sounds like mealy bug. Isolate it from your other plants before it spreads. Spray it and any nearby plants with 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
Hi Debra, Something is eating the tops off of my otherwise healthy aeoniums, some of which are 3′ tall. There is no sign of insect pests (including snails and slugs) and some of the affected branches are too thin to support the weight of a squirrel or raccoon. There’s also no evidence on the ground of discarded leaves. The damage occurs quite suddenly, and the branches are chewed down to the stem. Any ideas?
Hi Bruce — Sure sounds like a varmint of some kind. The stems in the photos you sent look sturdy enough to me to support the weight of a mouse, small rat or squirrel (which are mostly fur), and raccoons might simply pull downward on the stems to access the tops. A friend in Pasadena lost her aeoniums to deer. But why would deer nibble the outer leaves and not the centers? Again, sounds more like a smaller critter.
I have large in-ground Agave Blue Flame and Attenuata, I’ve been growing successfully for 8-10 years., in the Bay Area. Several now have what looks popped bumps that ooze sap. Then leave a hole. My local nursery suggested maybe poor drainage catching up with them and their roots sitting in water. Which is weird since they’ve been growing beautifully and pupping like crazy for years. I’m at a complete loss, since it seems like several are suffering, which suggests a disease as opposed to environmental situation? Please HELP! Thank you!
Hi Holly — First off, ‘Blue Flame’ is prone to abraded areas on the inner leaves near the trunk. It’s normal for the plant. (I know, go figure.) This may be similar or not at all related to blistering caused by agave edema, which results from irregular watering (long stretches of dryness followed by drenching rain). Edema happened to one of my large agaves when unbeknownst to me, an irrigation pipe started leaking underneath it. You can imagine how difficult THAT was to repair. You can see a photo of Agave Edema on the Pests and Problems page. The blistering doesn’t go away, nor do the exposed abraded areas, but other than being unsightly, they don’t seem to compromise the health of the plants. — Debra
Hi Debra,
Thanks for the thorough overview of pests on succulents and agave. I have a large yard with a wide variety of cactus, agave and aloe. A number of the plants ( Dracaena Draco, bromeliads and Agave Attenuata) have small white specks on their leaves. The specks seem to come on quickly this winter. I’m concerned that the spots lead to fungual infestation. I live in San Diego about 1.5 miles from the ocean. I have pictures that I can send although I don’t see a way to add them to this post.
Any help on how to address this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Rick
Hi Rick — You and everyone else! Honey, it’s hail damage. The plants will outgrow it.
Debra, I have a Crown of Thorns plant about 2 feet high. I’ve grown this for multiple years. About 25% of the stems haven’t added new leaves or bloomed in about 5 months. I pruned these stems today but was surprised to find they were hollow and I didn’t see any sap. This is a house plant in a S facing window. the other stems are blooming. I use a moisture meter to be sure it is dry before I water, usually about every 8 days. I use a constant feed 20-20-20 house plant fertilizer on this, along with most of my house plants. Can you tell me what the problem is and whether I should remove these stems entirely. I repotted this plant about a year ago in Cactus mix. Thanks in advance for replying.
Hi Frances — It sounds like you’ve done everything right. Yes, remove them. Not only are dead stems unsightly, they may harbor disease. I hope someone else has a suggestion for you, because I’m as mystified as you are.
Dear Debra,
A while back I added Green Aeonium to my garden and they thrived for quite awhile! I noticed chew marks on the leaves awhile back and attributed this to rodents/squirrels as we have have both in our yard (?). Now the plants are “flopped over” and the stocks are hard and missing the outside green base. The leaves are still very strong but it appears that they just can’t hold themselves up any longer. It almost seems like “something” is laying on the top of the plants while nibbling/eating the stock(?) I originally had 6 plants and 4 out of the 6 have the same issue. I cut back the water thinking it was perhaps over watering however 2 out of the 6 continue to thrive. Have you ever seen or heard of rodent/squirrel damage to this extent?
Hi Mitzi — Personally I haven’t seen what you describe, but I think you’re on the right track. Hopefully someone will know what’s going on and suggest a solution. That’s what this forum is for. Btw, it’s good to know your location (city or region). Pests vary from one area to another. Thanks.
Hello Debra – I have very tiny white bug on a few of my pots. Ive looked at the bugs on your page and can’t quite confirm what they are. I’ve used isopropyl alcohol and they have not completely left. I can see them in the mornings and evenings and don’t see many during the warmer part of the days. There are not too many, but just don’t seem to be going away. Any suggestions?
Question for you. What can I use to keep spiders off of my succulents? Every morning my succulents are covered with webs and I remove. By the next morning they are back. It’s really hard to remove all of the webs as they get into the nooks and crevices of the succulents.
Hi Marianne — You don’t mention your region, so I’m assuming you have the same spiders I have here in the foothills NE of San Diego. There are only two types of spider that get into my succulents: trap-door spiders (which have funnel-like webs) and delicate ones with long legs (you can tell how much of an expert I am—I have no idea what they’re called). The latter leave long threads that are annoying when they appear in photos of plants, because they show up as white lines. I neither like or dislike “my” spiders, but if they get too busy, I remove them with a paintbrush or a blast from the hose. But basically, I see them as beneficial. They control mealy bugs and other succulent pests.
Hi Debra – I live in India and have recently started keeping succulents in my indoor garden. I bought a healthy (seemingly) silver echeveria a few days back. But since yesterday the leaves are blackening. But it is not similar to the overwatering issue. Part of the leaf seem to be eaten or torn and the portion next to it is darkening (almost like dried). This is mostly happening in the upper part of the plant where tips of the new baby leaves seem to be broken. Is this due to transit shock? Will it recover?
Hi Ritwika — It’s hard to say, but if the plant is otherwise healthy, it will likely outgrow it. If you’d like to send me a photo, do so in a reply to any of my newsletters.
Hi Debra,
I planted two Echeveria Black Prince in a raised planter/pot in September. They were doing really well and put up the most impressive 2.5 foot tall flower stalks for 6 inch diameter rosette. A few weeks ago (soon after a rain) I noticed the leaves had yellow spots like polka dots all over them (appeared to be under the surface of the skin like a color change with no texture variation from rest of leaf) but they seemed fine otherwise. This week after another rain and a few cold nights (+/- 35 degrees) The leaves are blackening and getting mushy from the outer leaf tips then spreading inwards and falling off. Brown callous-like crackling is appearing on the remaining non-rotting leaves. One of them is doing better then the other but they both appear to be suffering from the same thing. I have two other echeveria next to them that are suddenly suffering from some brown patchy marks on leaves that look totally different and the string of pearls next to them that were super happy up until last week suddenly had aphids (which I treated) and then they started getting mushy and bursting. A picture would probably better illustrate this. I had been worried about the long rainy week and cold nights but I am at a loss because I have hundreds of other similar succulents in planters right next to this one and only the plants in this planter seem to be suffering. Its particularly annoying because this planter was the happiest up until a few weeks ago. Thank You for your advice and very helpful resources which I reference often!
Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ is notoriously hard to keep going, due to rot. I’d say you did great just getting it to bloom. This is not a succulent that normally survives more than a year or two—which often is the case with highly desirable cultivars that are rushed to market due to their sales potential, without being fully ready (i.e. having such weaknesses bred out of them). Generally when more than one plant in a potted grouping fails, it’s because of soil pathogens, like rot-causing fungus. I recommend you discard plants and soil, clean the pot, and congratulate yourself for doing remarkably well otherwise.
Thank You I will try that! Do you have any tips for Portulaca Molokiniensis ‘Ihi’? I have many different succulents and so far have had the most trouble with the Portulaca. I have planted four so far (from different nurseries and in different types of pots/planters) and all of them have died. Of the first pair I planted (6″ nursery pot size plants), one died almost immediately from what appeared to be root rot spreading into the stem-the stem got black and mushy and tipped over and all the green leaves fell off. The second one of that pair did well for the first three months but this week all the leaves turned black and fell off, the stem seems fine though. Planted two other smaller ones from 2″ succulent containers as experiments in other pots and garden locations and both died pretty quickly after planting. Everything else in the pots/planters where the portulaca’s were planted are healthy and happy.
Hi Frances — Obviously black = rot. I’ve grown Portulaca molokiniensis but wasn’t able to keep it going. Tropical succulents are challenging in my dry, inland Southern CA garden. It’s native to the Hawaiian Islands and it’s probably an annual, like others in the genus. Very few succulents are annuals–that could explain why yours keeps dying. This is the first I’ve heard of the cultivar ‘Ihi’. And that’s the sum total of knowledge!
Thank You I had no idea it was tropical or potentially an annual! I am in Northern California zone 9b and we have had a rainy month. I assumed the portulaca was particularly sensitive about too much water since its been raining but I wouldn’t have expected that of a “tropical succulent” but don’t have any knowledge about them. The annual part is interesting I didn’t know there were any annual succulents so you have peaked my curiosity and I will definitely be doing more research on them! I keep seeing pictures online of peoples happily spreading portulaca’s and wondering what I was doing wrong 🙂 . Per your advice I took out the plants that were suffering in the black prince planter (which was painful since it was looking so nice a few weeks ago) I will be replacing soil and cleaning pot and have temporarily moved the plants to the “succulent infirmary area” to see if they perk up before tossing them 🙂 Your books arrived today I am excited to sit down and read them. Thank you again for all of your work and the resources you provide for novice succulent enthusiasts like myself!
You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help.
I caved and finally bought a sea dragon. Then, winter happened and nights dipped into 30s and we had some downpour of rains for days in a row. I studied the sun and moved it to where it can get the most sun exposure. However, it doesn’t seem to be happy and it keeps losing its leaves… Is it diseased? I’d like to upload the photo but there’s no place. Basically, the leaves are turning brown and dying quicker than it can regenerate so once 25″ round now is down to 10″ round.. Help!
Hi Nancy — The same thing happened to mine (actually a different Echeveria cultivar but very similar) a month or so ago. Seemingly healthy leaves came loose and fell off. Very disheartening. I’ll do my best to research this. In the meantime, thanks for letting me/us know.
I read through the disease article and searched google endlessly but I cant seem to find issues that look like mine? I repotted smaller succulents into a long tray and forgot about them. A week later I was floored to see them and guilty for leaving them alone. The pot is hens and chicks and the more centered leaves are growing off white pimples that, if squished, release orange dust. It literally comes out like a zit.. I took a leaf for disection and the pimples have hard centers? Happy to share pictures and hopeful for help.
Hi Debra! First, I LOVE your book, and I’ve learned so much about succulents from it! I am starting a brand new succulent garden in our front bed. Should I cover all the soil in weed mat and cut holes for my plantings? If yes, do you have a recommendation for the type? Our contractor uses this very thick weed mat. Thank you so much!
Hi Jayme —
Using weed cloth to keep weeds from growing around plants is controversial. Some landscape designers use it routinely, others feel strongly that it does more harm than good. The concern is it compacts and smothers the soil, and roots and beneficial micro-organisms can’t get the aeration they need to thrive.
A lot depends on the soil type, drainage, slope, type of weeds and type of plants. Maybe weed cloth is necessary in your region—I can’t speak to that—but I do know that personally I dislike it because it tends to become exposed over time. Exposed seams and sections are hard to cut, remove or disguise.
Btw, my preference for weed control is pre-emergent herbicide (like Preen Weed Preventer). When applied properly (before rains), there’s no need for labor-intensive weed removal or Round-Up.
I probably should research weed cloth further, but in the meantime, I hope those who read this thread will share their own experiences and suggestions.
I am a huge fan of landscaping fabric for weed control. I have never noticed any adverse effect on the health of my succulents. In fact, the succulents in the area I covered with landscaping fabric (and rock cover) look better than those planted in soil with only rock cover. I suspect this is due to better water retention in the fabric-covered soil. And saving irrigation water is crucial in California these days, as always.
Hi Timothy — And this is why it’s controversial. Some professional landscape designers use weed control fabric routinely, others don’t like it, and others use it in certain circumstances. For what it’s worth, here’s my take on it.
This great web page has been very helpful to me in learning how to prevent snout weevil infestation of my agaves and other susceptible plants. I currently have a Beaucarnia recurvata (ponytail palm) getting ready to bloom. I treated it with systemic imidicloprid about 8 weeks ago. Should I cut off the emerging flower stalks now to prevent exposing pollinators to residual imidacloprid in the plant’s vascular system? Or is it safe to let flower?
Yes. That’s what experts at the San Diego Botanic Garden recommend. Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Debra Lee
I would like to know when is it the best time to treat my succulents with a fungicide and pesticide spray as a cautionary or preventative measure?
I do know that once a plant is infected it should be treated immediately , but is there a specific time to to spray all succies, maybe before growing season or winter?
Thank you and Regards
Salome
Hi Salome — As you know, the first sign of infestation is the best time to apply pesticides or fungicides, because bugs and spores spread rapidly.
I don’t recommend treating plants preventatively. Pests and fungus are by no means inevitable, and it stresses the plant whenever it’s sprayed it with anything but water. Not to mention paying for unnecessary chemicals and adding them to the environment.
Speaking of water, a good blast from a hose to clean leaves and crevices is a good idea, every so often, when the plants need a good soaking. (But not if they’re prone to mildew, in that case you want to keep the leaves dry; and not if there are spores, eggs or bugs that might use the stream of water to land on other plants.)
You can see there are a lot of variables. Regardless, dryness and good air circulation are essential—which makes sense because those conditions replicate the plants’ native habitats.
Hi Debra, thank you for your extensive pests and diseases list, however. I have an issue I couldn’t find in there. I have an issue with some of my frilly, but also on some other soft leave echeveria. I live in New Zealand and we have quite a few beautiful Dick Wright hybrids here, which I love to grow andI headchop them to grow pups. Some of the young pups I have grown all of a sudden seem to develop a patch where all the “life” in a plant leaf disappears and that part (often the centre area) of the leaf dies off and leaves a thin brown patch. I don’t think it’s related to any disease like mildew, it doesn’t look like typical sunburn, though I suspect it is a type of sunburn/or heat stress. It seems to happen only to young plants/ newly established pups, not so much older plants. It has happened both inside under a grow light, but also outside in natural light. It appears to be quite random, and not all are affected. It can happen to a plant that was quite happy in the same spot under the light and then all of a sudden it gets several blotchy like areas on numerous leaves. I don’t know why? Do you have any experience with this?
Hi Ingrid — It sure sounds like a classic case of sunburn. I’ll send you an email address to which you can send photos. Hopefully I can help, but it may be beyond me.
Hi Debra,
Thank you for all your thorough resources! I read through your Pests, Diseases, and Problems page and couldn’t find an explanation to what I’m experiencing. It might be multi-faceted, so I thought I’d write a comment.
I recently received some aeoniums that were planted outdoors, so there’s likely some kind of bug on it. The leaves and some stems have a chalky residue, almost like white paint splatter. Since bringing them in, I’ve seen similar residue on my hardwood floors under the plants. They’re not smears from contact; they are fresh ‘droplets’ albeit dry. I have also observed ‘wet spots’ that I suspect are causing it.
I have found a few flies (?) that are narrow and long – the biggest are about half an inch long, with red bodies/butts. I suspect they are the cause of these ‘wet spots’ as I’ve only seen fresh wet spots directly below or next to one of these bugs. I’ve been killing them when I find them, but they are very narrow and good at hiding on the underside of the aeoniums, which are quite dense and seem healthy otherwise. Some leaves have black streaks on the underside. These bugs and residue do not appear to be mealyworms.
I treated the aeoniums with a baking soda-soap-water spray over the weekend, in case it was powdery mildew. However, the person who gave me the plants says it could have been cactus sap from another cactus (which I accidentally verified when I tried propping another plant she gave me). However, I’d like to know if I might be dealing with an infestation on my hands, and if so, what might I be working against?
Much appreciated with any insight you can give!
Hi Jane — Based on the photo you sent, the problem is some sort of liquid that dried on the leaves and caked. The bug is merely a harmless sowbug. Take the plants outside and blast them with a hose.
Debra,
Thanks so much for your wonderful site – it’s been a fantastic resource for me as I’ve been creating a succulent garden the past several years.
Some type of grub has made its way into the soil of my succulent garden. I’ve only ever seen it underground, as when I’m digging something up. I’ll try to email a picture since I can’t attach one here. I’ve looked through your site but don’t see anything about grubs.
Do you have any ideas for the best way to get rid of it? I’m pretty sure it’s the reason I’ve lost several succulents recently – they had almost no roots when I dug them up after their appearance deteriorated greatly.
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!
Margaret Y.
Chula Vista, CA
Hi Margaret — I’m glad to hear that you found my site helpful! You can send photos in response to my newsletter (subscribe on the Home page). As for your grub problem, are the succulents you refer to agaves? That would explain it…and indicate the presence of agave snout weevil. Learn more about this pest on my snout weevil page: https://debraleebaldwin.com/caring-for-succulents/agave-snout-weevil-prevention-treatment/. If that’s not it, I’m at a loss. In my half-acre garden, grubs show up only in my compost pile. They’re about as big as shrimp and seem harmless.
Hi, Debra. I need some help with a particularly unusual, and nasty, tiny bug that has now killed a few of my succulents and cacti. For a while, I thought it was a fungus. The leaves get really rough brown patches on them that grow from a small spot to a large spot over time. It was only recently that I pulled out the DSLR with a new(er) macro focusing lens that allowed me to confirm the issue is a bug–not a fungus–because I was able to see teeny, tiny worm-like insects moving directly next to the brown patches. When I say tiny, I mean extremely tiny. I was able to capture some images and a video that I’d love to share with you to see if you can help identify, and find a solution, for this horrible pest. I lost a Ferox Aloe, a decently sized, potted agave, and now (which is the last straw) it’s invaded my Lavender Lady Mangave plant which is the one on which I was able to actually see movement.
Please let me know if there is someway to send you what I have captured. I am all too familiar with mealybugs–my pest isn’t those. The pests aren’t down in the soil either (although perhaps they are, but they would be impossible to see without a microscope), but I tried to investigate if they could be fungus gnat larvae. But I don’t see any way to confirm that one yet. I tried the typical high-concentration isopropyl alcohol directly on a few of them, but it didn’t seem to kill them like it does on mealybugs.
Please help!! I’m really concerned with the impact they are having on the Mangave, and I’m hoping to find something that will kill the little buggers. It might also be helpful for others to be able to see the plant symptoms and to see a macro (as best I could get) on what they look like.
Thank you in advance!!
Josh
Hi Josh — If the video file isn’t too large (I think 12MB is the limit) you can email it to me at dlb@debraleebaldwin.com. Also please let me know your location—pests can vary from region to region. Hopefully I can help.
Commenting on the mystery ‘What’s Wrong with These?’ photos above, I have some thoughts on what may be happening with some of them. I am assuming a lot of these issues are related to recent colder temperatures and significant rainfall. I have plants in my own garden that are similarly afflicted. Here are my thoughts:
– DLB’s limp mangave: some kind of fungal disease, likely anthracnose
– blotchy agaves from DLB, Heather and Laura: agave edema
– Elaine’s opuntia and ceroid, orange spots: rust
– Nancy’s split pedilanthus: excessive water uptake (causing the stem to swell and split)
Again, I’m no expert but from experience, these are my best guesses. As Debra and others will know, the anthracnose and rust can be treated with fungicides. The agave edema and the splitting due to too much water can’t be reversed or treated; just have to wait for new growth to cover up the ‘ugly’ (or cut off affected parts, though in the case of the agaves is not a desirable choice compared to simply looking at the damage).
Hope this helps?
Hi Michele – Agave edema…that makes sense in light of the all the rain. I do have photos of agave edema on my main Pests and Problems page, but those are advanced cases. Your other diagnoses make sense as well. You did indeed help—thank you!
Hi Debra, I believe the photo captioned “ Crackling on cactus pad” shows what is called corking—a natural aging process related to arborescence where lower plant stems become woody to help support the weight of a mature plant.
Hi Kim — That’s interesting. I thought corking was only on stems. It’s hard to tell in the photo, but the affected area is on a pad, close to the tip. It does look like it though!
Hi Debra, I have recently noticed some white growths on one of my cacti, like tiny bits of cotton wool.this is now spreading on the plant, and is spreading to a neighbouring cactus. Does this sound like a mite, and should it be treated with 75% isopropyl? Bill
Hi Bill — If it’s on paddle cactus, it’s likely cochineal scale. If the white bits are on smaller cacti in pots, it’s likely mealy bug.
RE: Elaine G’s ceroid, orange spots and variegated opuntia [WOW!], orange spots
I’m in Los Angeles and I found some of these on my Euphorbia trigona and Epiphyllum after the rain storms left all my soil quite moist for a couple of weeks. In that time, we had a “cold snap”, followed by normal winter warm temps around 75°
I did a Google Lens search from my Andriod phone camera and found the Puccinia fungus:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puccinia
Hope it helps!
Hi there, I inherited a small jade plant from my gran, so it hold tremendous sentimental value, but it seems to be really unhappy!
It arrived Really** pot bound – the soil had forms a solid plug with moss growing on it! So I removed this and repotted into a terracotta pot with cacti/succulent soil. And at first it seems to like this – new growth happened etc, but then the plant started getting brown callous patches on some of the leaves, and has started dropping like 40% of its leaves and some bits of stem! This plant means so much I’d really appreciate any help in saving it! Thanks!
Hi Aisha — Oh no, I’m so sorry your special jade is sick. It sounds like it picked up a disease or possibly sunburned. I’d take cuttings from healthy tissue and restart them in fresh potting soil in a clean pot. Let the cut ends heal overnight and then stick them upright in the soil. Give them bright shade at first (no direct sun) and after a few weeks, dappled shade/sun, and then full sun (unless you’re in the desert). Bring the plant/s indoors when frost is forecast, but continue to give them some sun—either on a windowsill or a full-spectrum grow light.
I have a big old and beautiful pot of String of Bananas (curio radicans). It’s one of my favourite house plants. But over the last three years, it’s been struggling to develop new growth; new buds appear, then turn black and shrivel up. I get big bunches of weird looking leaves that cluster as it tries to grow new branches, with brownish bark-looking stretch marks. Under a microscope, I can see so much cell damage, and the vines are sticky to the touch, but I can’t see any pests. I’ve dealt with scales, mealy bugs, and spider mites in the past with other plants, but I’ve never seen anything like this before. I didn’t see any pictures in the article that matched anything like what I’ve got. I checked the roots last year, and they looked healthy. This has been going on for three years now and I’m starting to wonder if the plant is doomed. Any ideas what I’m dealing with here?
Hi Breanna — You didn’t mention where you’re located (city or region) so it may be something that I’m unfamiliar with. It sounds like some sort of mildew or fungus. Remove any diseased bits and spray with a horticultural fungicide https://amzn.to/3Iy4r1h soaking the soil as well as the leaves. If that doesn’t help, take cuttings from healthy tissue and start them in a pot of fresh soil, and discard the sick plant, soil and all. If you want to send me a photo, I’ll take a look. You can send it in a reply to one of my newsletters.
Do you have black spots on Aloe bainesii (and other aloes)? Unfortunately it’s tricky if not impossible to fix. Here’s advice from aloe expert Jeff Moore, owner of Solana Succulents in Solana Beach, CA:
>>Hi Jeff, I get asked occasionally what to do about black dots and blotches on Aloe bainesii. What do you tell people? I say it’s probably a fungus, it’s worse closer to the coast, and no one knows how to treat it. (Thinking to myself, if anyone does know, it would be Jeff Moore.) Kindly LMK if you have an answer and I’ll add it to my Pests and Problems Q&A Forum. Thanks!>>
>>Hi Debra: Your description of the aloe ‘rust’ spots is pretty ‘spot’ on. It is likely a fungus, and if so the only treatment would be repeated deep waterings with a systemic, but I never do that and don’t know if it would work anyway. There is some thought that it might be a clonal thing — inherent in some plants along with a lot of sickly yellow leaves (and usually the spots as well), yet the aloes keep on growing. There are a couple of those at the Fish Market restaurant near me across from the gas station just west of the 5 on Via de la Valle. I’ve come to appreciate Aloe tongaensis over A. bainesii; less issues and better flowers, if not as big.>>
Hello I have a lovely potted Pineapple Express Mangave. He is otherwise quite healthy and a prolific grower. Recently I have noticed what appears to be pest damage to the leaves as though it has been chewed through. I live in Indiana and have had the plant for two years but recently moved to a new location. Any clue as to what could be the issue?
Hi Andrew — I had that happen to mine, too, and the culprit was a garden snail. But you’re in Indiana…do you even have the same pests we do here in CA? You might want to check with your local garden club or plant nursery.
Excellent site and information. Thank you. HelenC
Hi Debra, I am doing a face lift for my front yard and want to go with drought tolerant landscape.
I have found great info from your website on this subject. Thank you for sharing your expertise on it.
One interesting thing I’ve just read on your site is about the weed cloth. I was thinking of install weed cloth before top dressing the ground with rocks. Your post makes me think if I should just skip the weed cloth step all together
You did address how to control weeds which I find very helpful. I wonder how is your experience with having rocks directly on top of the ground? Do the rocks sink into the ground over time? If they do sink, how do manage it? Thank you for your videos. They are very informative and entertaining.
Cathy
Hi Cathy — The smaller the rocks the quicker they’ll disappear into the soil. Also plant growth tends to hide them over time. It’s pretty easy to reapply gravel topdressing if need be. Anything larger lasts a lot longer. For great ideas and smart use of rocks, watch my videos that feature designer Steve McDearmon’s gardens: Why You Really Need Rocks Succulent Slope Before & After See a Succulent Collectors’ Garden Redo.
Hi Debra,
I’ve looked at all the disease photos and can’t find my problem.
I have large-padded Opuntias (possibly Opuntia discata or similar) that have started to develop beige spots around the areoles on the lowest pads, then the beige area gets larger on the lowest pad, and occurs on the next pads up, starting with the areoles.
They’re on a balcony, where they get sun but no rain — only the water I provide.
The problem only occurs on the shady side of the pads (the part not facing the sun.)
I’m in USDA Zone 7, in a mid-atlantic state.
Any ideas what could be causing this and how to solve it? It spreads slowly, and may not be lethal, but it is ugly.
Hi, I have a small collection of jades and echeverias in a windowsil. They were transplants from outdoors, and all have a reddish tinge to their stems & leaves and stunted/stretched growth. It looks like rust, but nothing “rubs off”. What might this be and how might I treat this? (Location San Antonio, Tx, zone 8)
Hi Clare — Sounds normal to me. It’s probably pigment that has come to the surface in response to environmental changes. Same goes for elongated stems. But what’s odd is that reddened leaves usually mean the plant’s getting lots of sunlight; and stretched (“etiolated”) growth means it’s not getting enough. Send me a photo if you like (if you’re a newsletter subscriber, simply click Reply) and I’ll take a closer look.
My Golden Sedum has developed discolorations to the center portion with orange leaf discolorations and silvery margins. Is this a type of crown rot? We’ve had a lot of rain in Los Angeles lately. Nothing else has changed. Is there any remedy? Thanks.