Sticky Plant Leaves: Causes and Treatments
Have you noticed a sticky substance on your houseplant’s leaves, furniture, or floor? It’s not sap, but it can be just as annoying. Here’s what you need to know about sticky plant leaves and how to treat them.
What Causes Sticky Plant Leaves?
Sticky leaves on indoor plants are usually caused by insects called scales. These tiny insects attach themselves to your plant and suck out its moisture, excreting a sticky substance called honeydew. Honeydew can attract ants and other pests, and it can also make your plant look unsightly.
Other insects that can cause sticky plant leaves include mealybugs and aphids. These insects also suck out plant juices and excrete honeydew.
How to Treat Sticky Plant Leaves
The best way to treat sticky plant leaves is to get rid of the insects that are causing the problem. Here are a few methods you can try:
- Suffocation: Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to the plant. This will suffocate the insects without harming the plant.
- Dissolving the armor: Scales have a hard outer shell that protects them from insecticides. You can dissolve this shell by applying a mixture of dish detergent and water to the plant.
- Rubbing alcohol: Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a cotton swab and wipe away as many scales as possible.
- Neem oil: Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can be effective against scales, mealybugs, and aphids. Apply neem oil to the plant’s foliage and stems.
Cleaning Sticky Plant Leaves
Once you’ve gotten rid of the insects, you’ll need to clean the sticky leaves. Here’s how:
- Use a cloth dampened with warm water: This should be enough to remove most of the honeydew.
- Use a mild dish soap solution: If the honeydew is particularly sticky, you can use a mild dish soap solution to clean the leaves. Be sure to rinse the leaves thoroughly with water afterwards.
Prevention
The best way to prevent sticky plant leaves is to keep your plants healthy. Healthy plants are less likely to attract pests. Here are a few tips for keeping your plants healthy:
- Water your plants regularly.
- Fertilize your plants according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Inspect your plants regularly for pests and diseases.
- Quarantine new plants before adding them to your collection.
Additional Tips
- If the infestation is heavy, you may need to follow up with a routine spray of insecticidal soap.
- Be sure to lay a piece of plastic wrap over your plant’s soil before taking any action, otherwise you might just knock some scales into the soil and prolong the infestation.
- If you’re having trouble getting rid of the sticky leaves, you can consult with a local nursery or garden center.