Summary
Succulentsare some of the most democratic plants raise at abode , adorning homes and garden with their striking visual aspect . Gardeners specially love them for being among the mostgorgeous and humiliated - sustenance plants . However , pests and diseasescan jeopardize the wellness and elan vital of these darling garden marvels .
Whether you ’re a seasoned succulent partizan or a noviceplant parent , realise these assailants is crucial for their well - being . Discover 10 of the most prevalentbugs and diseases that harm yoursucculent plants , how to keep annoying attacker from destroying them , andhow to care for succulent .
1Watch Out For Tiny Aphids
Miniscule white insects that devour the sap
Aphidsare flyspeck , sap - sucking insect that can make for havoc on differenttypes of succulent . These pesterer feed on the sap of tender new outgrowth , induce scrawny growth , distorted leave of absence , and yellowing . They regurgitate rapidly , forming obtuse colony that can quickly infest a plant . aphid are in particular attract tosucculentslikealoe vera , echeveria , and sedum .
fortuitously for gardeners concerned inhow to take care of succulents , there are specific ways to crusade off aphids from yoursucculent plant :
Regularly audit the undersides of leaf where aphid often congregate , and quick remove any visible pests to prevent infestations .
Image credits:Antonio Gravante via Shutterstock
2Prepare to Counter Mealybugs
Cottony invaders that hide on leaves and stems
Found throughout theUnited States , mealybugs are some of thecommon houseplant pests to look out for . Their soft - incarnate insects , covered in a white , cottony substance , make them easily recognizable . These pests feed on works sap , causingleaf yellowing , wilt , and dropping . mealybug are commonly found in the fissure ofsucculentleaves and stems , where they can reproduce rapidly .
The pests dissemble unlike type of succulents , including aeonium , crassula , and kalanchoe . So , what do you do if mealybugs are wreaking mayhem in your garden ?
invalidate overwateringsucculents , as mealybugs are attracted to moisture and humidness .
Image credits:Philipp Fahlbusch via Pexels
3Fend Off Spider Mites at the Earliest Sign
An invisible menace that targets succulents' sap
wanderer mites are petite arachnids that often go unnoticed until pregnant harm has pass off . That ’s why a self-aggrandizing part of knowinghow to care for succulentsis understand how to key and deter such pest .
The minuscule pests thrust plant cells to feast on sap , leading to stippled , discolored leaves and fine webbing on succulents . Spider soupcon peculiarly sleep together the hot , cold conditions , making them a vernacular problem for indoor and out-of-door gardeners in theUnited States . smorgasbord such as haworthia , sempervivum , and agave are frequent targets for wanderer speck infestation . To counter these pests , consider a few john :
Use a magnifying glass to visit your succulentplantsfor tiny mites and their webbing , especially on the undersides of leafage .
Image credits:Rizky Ade Jonathan via Shutterstock
4Ward Off Scale Insects on Sight
Immobile bugs that cause yellowing
Scale dirt ball are small , immobile pests that attach themselves to manytypes of succulentsand feed on sap using piercing mouthpart . These pests often come along as modest , raised bumps on stem and leaves , resembling plant life scales . Scale infestation can cause yellowing , wilting , and leaf drop , compromising the plant ’s overall wellness .
Scale insects often aim specie such as crassula , euphorbia , and jadeplants . you’re able to employ unlike approaches to moderate theseplant bugs :
supervise newfangled plant acquisitions cautiously for signs of ordered series infestation before introducing them to yoursucculentcollection .
Image credits:WebbiMemo via Shutterstock
5Prevent the Destructive Root Rot
A silent fungal killer that destroys succulent roots
Root rotis afungal diseasecaused by overly moist dirt conditions , which promote the growth of morbific fungus kingdom . This disease often live unnoticed until it ’s too late , mutely terrorizing gardeners in theUnited States . Their symptoms typically do n’t manifest until thesucculentplantis gravely compromised . sign of the zodiac of ancestor rot include wilting , yellowing , and soft , mushy antecedent . Overwatering and piteous drainage are common culprit of antecedent rot inplants .
When repottingsucculents , inspect the roots for signs of rot and trim away any damaged portions to boost sizeable growth .
6Fight Fusarium and Pythium
Soil-borne threats that love waterlogged conditions
Fusarium and Pythium are soil - assume pathogen that do damping - off disease and root rot insucculent plants . These fungus kingdom thrive in plastered , ill enfeeble grime conditions , infectingsucculentroots and compromising their power to absorb water and nutrients . symptom of fusarium and pythium contagion admit wilting , yellowing , and plant flop .
These fungal disease peculiarly love succulent specie like cheveria , graptopetalum , and lithops . Keep sealed retainer in intellect to ward off these pathogen :
Quarantine newly purchasedsucculentsfor a few week to supervise for sign of fungal infections before introduce them to your collection .
Image credits:AU USAnakul via Shutterstock
7Stop Snails and Slugs in Their Tracks
Slow-moving devourers that kill your plants fast
Snails and slug may move at a leisurely yard , but they can cause pregnant damage tosucculentplants by course on tender foliage and stem . These mollusks are most active during the night or in damp , louche condition , making them a scourge to outdoorsucculentgardens . If you see irregular holes and ragged edge on leaves , it could be that escargot and slugs have overrun your garden .
These pests will devourtypes of succulentslike sempervivum , sedum , and portulacaria , but you may crusade back with a few footfall :
Regularly remove junk and weeds fromsucculentgarden beds to eliminate concealment spots for snails and slugs .
Image credits:Piyachanok Raungpaka via Shutterstock
8Combat Powdery Mildew Promptly
A fungal foe that coats your succulents
Powdery mildew is a common fungous disease that affects the foliage ofsucculent plants , appearing as a powdery white coating on leave and stem . This fungal infection thrives in tender , humid condition , spreading speedily in crowded planting . Powdery mildew can counteract succulents by subdue photosynthesis and compromise overall plant life health .
Succulent species such as kalanchoe , genus Senecio , and dudleya are particularly susceptible to powdery mildew . There are several methods of controllingpests and diseasesthat will act upon against powdery mold :
Prune dim or overcrowded growing to amend air flow and reduce the risk of powdery mildew contagion in yourplants .
Image credits:Vladimir Sidorov69 via Shutterstock
9Drive Back Root Mealybugs
A subterranean threat that targets roots
Root mealybugs are a lesser - known but every bit damaging plague that targets the root systems ofsucculents . These pesterer resemble their aboveground counterparts but live the grime , where they feed onsucculentroots and sap . Root mealybug infestations often go unnoticed until their hosts exhibit symptoms of stress , such as wilting or yellowing foliage .
Root mealybugs are lovesome of succulent miscellany such as agave , aloe , and crassula . Fight back by applying a few methods :
cautiously inspect the roots for sign of rootpests and diseaseslike mealybugs before repotting them , and consider treating them with insecticide before transplant .
Image credits:Pixabay via Pexels
10Tackle Leaf Spot Diseases
Fungal blemishes that love humidity
Leaf spot disease are fungal infections that manifest as blemishes , spots , or lesions on the leaf of succulent plants . These diseases flourish in warm , humid conditions and are often exacerbate by overhead lacrimation or highhumiditylevels . Leaf spot disease can weakensucculentsby reduce photosynthetic efficiency and compromise leaf integrity .
Like manypests and diseases , leaf spots especially attack echeveria , crassula , and aeonium . How can you fend off leaf spot diseases ?
Practice honest sanitation by off fallen leaves and debris fromsucculentcontainers or garden bed to reduce the hazard of leaf spot disease .
Image credits:Tunatura via Shutterstock
Keep Your Succulents Healthy All Year Long!
Knowinghow to care for succulentsentails protect yoursucculentsfrompests and disease . By familiarizing yourself with the common afflictions that involve yourplants , you could take proactive bar to prevent infestations and infections . commemorate to do regular inspections , provide optimal originate condition , and quickly address any signs of trouble . With proper care and vigilance , you may love thrivingsucculentplants for year to come .
Image credits:PIMPIKA_070432via Shutterstock
Image credits:Rayhandi via Shutterstock
