From our perspective as croton plants, mealybugs are a particularly frustrating pest. They appear as small, white, cottony masses in our leaf axils, on our stems, and on the undersides of our leaves. They pierce our tissues with their needle-like mouthparts and suck out our vital sap. This weakens us significantly, causing our vibrant leaves to yellow, wilt, and drop prematurely. The honeydew they excrete is even more problematic, as it encourages the growth of sooty mold, a black fungus that coats our leaves and further blocks sunlight, hindering our photosynthesis. To treat an infestation, we ask our caretakers to physically remove the bugs with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger outbreaks, a thorough spraying with insecticidal soap or neem oil, making sure to coat the undersides of our leaves, is most effective. Consistent treatment is key, as these pests can be persistent.
Spider mites are tiny arachnids that are nearly invisible to the human eye, but we feel their presence acutely. They thrive in hot, dry conditions, which are often found indoors. They feed on our individual plant cells, leaving behind a tell-tale stippling of tiny yellow or white spots on our leaves. A severe infestation will cover our foliage in fine, silky webbing, and our leaves may become bronzed, dry up, and fall off. The best way to confirm their presence is to tap a leaf over a white piece of paper; if you see moving specks, we have mites. Increasing humidity around us by misting our leaves regularly is a great deterrent. To eliminate them, we need to be rinsed thoroughly with a strong spray of water, focusing on the leaf undersides. Applications of horticultural oil or miticides will suffocate and kill the remaining mites.
Root rot is one of the most dangerous conditions we face, as it attacks our very foundation—our root system. It is primarily caused by overwatering or poor drainage, which creates an anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) environment in the soil. In these soggy conditions, fungi like Pythium and Phytophthora thrive and begin to decay our roots. From our point of view, this feels like a slow suffocation. We are unable to take up water or nutrients, even though the soil is wet. Our leaves will droop, turn yellow, and feel soft. The most telling sign is the roots themselves, which become mushy, dark brown, or black instead of firm and white. Treatment requires immediate action. We must be removed from the pot, and all soft, rotten roots must be carefully pruned away. After that, we should be repotted in fresh, well-draining soil and a clean pot with adequate drainage holes. Watering must be adjusted to allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that appears as a white or gray, powdery coating on the surface of our leaves. It doesn't just look unsightly; it interferes with our ability to breathe and perform photosynthesis. This fungus favors high humidity combined with poor air circulation. It can cause our leaves to become distorted, stunted, and eventually yellow and drop. To help us, improve the airflow around us by ensuring we are not overcrowded with other plants. Affected leaves should be removed and disposed of. Treatments include spraying our foliage with a solution of baking soda and water, or a commercially available fungicide. Ensuring our leaves stay dry when watered, especially overnight, can prevent the fungus from taking hold.
