Customers often email and call us about an unusual white, fuzzy substance on the leaves of their new air plants. The mysterious white fuzz are called Trichomes. check for other plants that may have it too; Mealybugs can be difficult to control as the white "cotton" prevents most control agents from reaching them. More details on their control are here. But, at some point, you notice a fine coating of fuzzy white mold on top of the roots. These insects feed on your plant and create this white fluffy looking stuff on your plant. I need help identifying a white chalk-like fungus or substance of some kind that consistently seems to plague certain plants that I grow in my house. At the start, the white mold looks like powdery spots. That stuff is probably a harmless saprophytic fungus. Aphids. Powdery mildew or white fuzzy mold on plants is commonly caused by the fungal pathogen Podosphaera xanthii. They can multiply quickly and they leave a sticky residue behind which will start to grow a black fungus. White Fuzzy Mold on Plants. You can treat this with several different organic methods which should get rid of the mealybugs. Although its presence can indicate a problem with watering, it does not necessarily mean that the plant itself is sick or that it is going to die. White fuzzy mold isn’t any good on the cheese in your fridge, and it’s almost as frustrating to see in the containers of your plants. Worried, you run to Google, type in "moldy potting soil," and end up here. If you’ve ever owned a houseplant, then it is likely that you’ve come across white mold growing on top of the potting soil. In the outdoor, white mold is a common name of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a type of parasitic fungi that attack plants. All is fine and dandy until you wake up one morning to discover that your favorite potted plant is growing fuzzy, white mold. If the stickiness is associated with waxy white blobs, your plant has mealybugs. Especially if you’re growing herbs or other edible foods, but rest assured it’s easy to fix and can be prevented. They pierce the plants and suck the juices. Yes, orchids are vulnerable to a white fungus called snow mold which grows in pots. These 1/6-inch pear-shaped creatures pierce plant tissues to suck out sap. spraying water on your plant can be a quick fix. The fungal disease creates a powdery white growth on plant leaves and stems. Word Root: These insects look like little tufts of white cotton and attach themselves to plant stems, the undersides of leaves, and the places where leaves join the main stem. 1. This white fuzzy “mold” is actually a fungus. White powdery mildew is one of the few fungi's that do not spread by water, in fact; it makes it much harder for the mildew to grow. When in a pinch, spraying you plant down with water will make you plant less of an ideal environment for this mildew to grow, which can help stop the spread. However, this type of mold can often be mistaken with the mealybug infestation so, don’t rush to conclusions. That's a good thing too, because I've got the answers! This mold has been known to attack more than 360 species of plants, including vegetables and garden flowers. Aphids, scale, and mealybugs are common culprits. They are always pleased to find out that this white fuzz is nothing to worry about, in fact, it’s the sign of a healthy, happy air plant. White, Fuzzy Growth in Potted Plants . It is critical to spray the plant with soap and water or neem oil at least three times. What is White Mold on Plants? 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