Some plant lovers are worried when small white spots suddenly appear on the leaves of the money tree. This abnormality is usually harmless and can be avoided with proper care. Only rarely is a pest infestation responsible, but this must be treated immediately.
Why does my money tree have white dots on its leaves?
White spots on the leaves of a money tree are usually harmless and are caused by excess water that the plant “sweats out”. To avoid white spots, water the money tree more sparingly. Sticky spots and webs may be pests.
White dots: care errors or pests?
White spots on the money tree are almost always an indication that the plant has stored too much water in its leaves. It “sweats” out this water, leaving behind white dots that can be easily washed off. They do not harm the plant.
If there are small white webs on the leaves in addition to the white spots, caution is advised. In this case it could be mealybugs or mealybugs. These must be combated immediately.
The white spots are not mildew. Mildew appears as a white or gray coating in which individual dots are not visible.
Why do money trees get white dots?
Like all succulents, the leaves of the penny tree store a lot of water. If the moisture of the substrate is too high, the leaves can no longer fully absorb the water and release it through the tops of the leaves - they “sweat” it out.
The escaping moisture leaves white spots consisting of lime or s alts.
Simply wash off white spots
You can easily rub off the white dots on the leaves with a soft cloth. There is no harm to the plant.
If the dots cannot be rubbed off and the leaves are also sticky, there may be a mealybug infestation. You must combat these pests immediately, otherwise the money tree will lose all its leaves and ultimately die.
How to avoid white dots on the money tree
Most money trees are overwatered. Water your money tree sparingly, even in summer. The root ball must never dry out completely, but it should definitely not be too moist.
Tip
Some money tree species generally have white spots on the leaves. There are also varieties whose leaves turn red when exposed to a lot of sunlight. In these cases it is normal leaf discoloration.
