Jade plants are known for their succulent green leaves, but once in a while, you’ll find white specks forming on the foliage and stems of the plant. What causes these white marks and how do you get rid of them?
White spots on jade plants are caused by salty water, powdery mildew, overwatering, and fungi. To get rid of these spots, especially those caused by powdery mildew, make a weak solution of baking soda and vinegar and spray it evenly on the plant to kill the spores.
You can also remove the affected foliage and clean the plant with soft water to remove the visible white fuzzy spots mold.
While the white spots can be harmless, they ruin the jade plant’s beauty. Worse still, they can affect the plant’s growth rate and even the blooming cycle of jades.
Jade plants, with their thick, glossy leaves and easygoing nature, are a popular houseplant. But sometimes, despite your best care, white spots can appear on the leaves and stem of your jade plant. As unsightly as these spots are, they can serve as useful indicators of problems. Getting to the root cause of the spots can help you take the right steps to restore the health of your plant.
Common Causes of White Spots on Jade Plants
There are several potential causes of white spots on jade plants:
Overwatering
Too much moisture around the roots can lead to edema, where water accumulates in the leaves. This causes blister-like white spots on the leaves. Overhead watering with hard water also leaves white mineral deposits behind. Always check the soil moisture before watering and water at the base of the plant to prevent this issue.
Insect Infestation
Insects like mealybugs aphids and whiteflies suck sap from the leaves and excrete honeydew which can cause white spots. Their eggs and bodies can also resemble white dots or masses. Isolate and treat any infected plants.
Fungal Disease
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease of jade plants that creates a white, powdery coating on leaves. High humidity and poor air circulation encourage it. Improve growing conditions and treat with neem oil or a sulfur fungicide.
Mineral Buildup
Hard tap water and fertilizers leave behind mineral salts that show up as white spots that are difficult to wipe away. Use distilled or rainwater and fertilize moderately to prevent buildup.
Natural Leaf Markings
Jade plants can develop harmless white leaf markings, especially variegated varieties. As long as the spots don’t spread, this is not a cause for concern.
How To Get Rid of White Spots on Jade Plants
If your diagnosis points to a non-disease related cause like hard water or fertilizer buildup, simply wiping leaves with a damp cloth can remove some types of spots. Here are some other organic remedies:
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Cut off any heavily affected leaves and isolate plants showing signs of fungal disease or pests. This prevents spreading.
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Spray leaves thoroughly with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution to kill powdery mildew spores and small insect pests. Repeat every few days until spots are gone.
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Make a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon insecticidal soap and 1 gallon of water. Spray on leaves and repeat application daily for a week. This helps control fungal disease and insects.
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Use a sulfur fungicide according to package instructions to kill fungal spores. Apply to infected plants and nearby plants preventively.
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Wipe leaves with neem oil diluted in water to suffocate and deter pests.
For recurring issues, corrective measures like repotting, pruning and changes in care may be needed:
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Repot in fresh, sterile potting mix to eliminate soil-borne pests and diseases. Discard old soil so pests don’t spread.
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Prune off any dead or dying stems which can harbor pests. This encourages new healthy growth.
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Water less in winter when plants are dormant. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Provide more light to stressed plants lacking vigor. A minimum of 6 hours of sun is ideal.
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Switch to using distilled or rain water if hard tap water is causing mineral buildup.
With some persistence and plant detective work, you can get those unsightly white spots under control and restore your jade plant to excellent health. Always start by identifying the cause, then use gentle, organic solutions to remedy the problem. With proper care and quick treatment of issues, your jade plant will thrive and remain spot-free for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About White Spots on Jade Plants
What causes white spots on jade plant leaves?
Common causes include watering with hard water, overwatering, insect infestations, fungal diseases like powdery mildew, high humidity, poor air circulation, and mineral buildup from fertilizers. Less common causes are sun scorch and natural leaf variegation.
How do I get rid of white powdery mildew on my jade plant?
Improve air circulation and isolate infected plants. Wipe leaves with a cloth dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol or a baking soda solution. Remove badly infected leaves. Apply neem oil or sulfur fungicide according to directions. Reduce watering and humidity.
Why does my jade plant get white spots even after I wipe the leaves?
Spots that reappear after wiping the leaves are likely caused by powdery mildew fungal spores or mineral buildup from hard water and fertilizer salts. For mildew, treatment with a fungicide and prevention are needed. Use distilled or rainwater to prevent mineral buildup.
Should I cut off jade plant leaves with white spots?
Removing badly affected leaves can help control the spread of powdery mildew or insect infestations. But if there are only a few spots and the leaf still looks healthy, leaving it on can allow the plant to still photosynthesize. Just keep an eye to make sure the spots don’t spread.
How often should I wipe jade plant leaves?
There’s no set schedule, but it’s good to wipe leaves once a month or so to remove dust buildup. Use a damp cloth and wipe gently. Wipe more frequently if your plant has recurring issues with hard water spots, insects like mealybugs, or high humidity leading to fungal growth.
Can white spots spread from one jade plant to another?
Yes, fungal diseases like powdery mildew and some sap-sucking insects can spread between jade plants. Isolate infected plants. Sterilize pruning shears after trimming infected plants before using on others. Keep jade plants spaced for good air flow. Scout nearby plants for early signs of infection.
Should I repot my jade plant to get rid of white spots?
Repotting into fresh sterile soil can help resolve recurring pest and fungal problems. It eliminates contaminated soil as a source of infection. But repot only when necessary, like if roots are crowded. Repot in spring before growing season. Discard old soil so pests don’t spread.
Why are there white dots on my jade plant after bringing it inside?
Moving a jade plant from outdoors to indoors often leads to fungal issues like powdery mildew and leaf spot. The lower light, higher humidity, and poor air circulation indoors encourages fungal growth. Provide enough light, ventilate, prune crowded branches, and reduce watering until the plant adjusts.
Are the white spots on my jade plant harmful?
Harmless mineral deposits or leaf variegation only affects appearance. But white spots caused by overwatering, pests, and fungal disease can injure and weaken plants if left untreated. Leaf damage and dieback occur. Timely identification and organic solutions can restore plant health and prevent lasting harm.
Use of salty water
Using hard water in potted plants leaves residue on the leaves. Some tap water and groundwater have salts such as calcium. Since the jade plant stores the majority of its water in its leaves, the salty content is eliminated by transpiration through the leaves, leaving white spots.
The white spots caused by salty water take time to appear after wiping with a cloth.
Liquid or nitrogen-rich fertilizers are also a high source of salts. Mineral deposits such as calcium carbonates, magnesium sulfates, and phosphates in fertilizers cause white spots in jade plants.
Compost or organic matter also could contain salts which lead to an imbalance of minerals
Sometimes, white spots are a jade plant’s way of defending itself. Succulent plants develop an epicuticular wax to protect them from sun predators and drought. The whitish substance is uneven, appearing on both sides of the leaves.
How to get rid of white spots on jade plant
Unchecked white spots can worsen, making the leaves wilt and collapse. You should therefore act immediately to remedy the problem. With the isolation of the affected plant as the first step, use these methods to get rid of white spots on your jade plant.