Pest
Mealybugs or scale
Mealybugs show up as cottony white masses in leaf joints, and scale looks like small waxy brown bumps stuck to stems and leaves. Both feed on sap and leave a sticky residue behind.
How to confirm it
- Look closely at leaf joints and stems for cottony white clusters or small brown bumps that don't rub off easily.
- Check nearby surfaces for a sticky, shiny residue the pests leave behind.
- Inspect new plants closely before placing them near others, since this is a common way infestations spread.
Next Steps
Fixes connected to this cause
Treat mealybugs and scale
Manually removing what you can see first makes any spray treatment far more effective against these pests.