If you’re passionate about plant care, you should know that some strange signs in leaves or soil aren’t just harmless details. They can be indications of pests, fungi or serious problems that, if not addressed in time, can affect not only one plant, but your entire collection.
Here are 5 signs you should never touch and what to do in each case.
1. White spots like cotton or sticky residue
What it can be:
These symptoms usually indicate the presence of cottony mealybugs or scaly mealybugs. The former look like white fluff, while the latter manifest as small, hard, brown bumps. They usually suck the sap from the plants and leave behind a sticky residue known as molasses, which in turn can promote the appearance of the black sooty mold fungus.
Why you shouldn’t touch them:
Although they are not dangerous to humans, touching them can spread them to other plants easily. In addition, molasses is uncomfortable and difficult to remove.
What to do:
Insulate the plant. Remove pests with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or spray with a neem oil solution or a special insecticide for houseplants.
2. Small moving dots or tiny networks
What it may be:
It is probably mites, aphids or thrips. Mites spin thin webs, aphids usually appear in groups and can be green, black or brown, while thrips are very small, elongated and black.
Why you shouldn’t touch them:
They spread easily. By touching them and then handling another plant, you can lead to a general infestation.
What to do:
Wash the plant with water, apply a soapy solution, use neem oil, or, in severe cases, a suitable insecticide.
3. Bright black spots on leaves or soil
What it can be:
They could be eggs of pests such as mites, or droppings of substrate fly larvae or caterpillars.
Why you shouldn’t touch them:
Although small, these remains can also help spread pests. In addition, they are unhygienic.
What to do:
Clean the leaves carefully. If residue reappears, look for and remove the main pest.
