Mealybugs on Philodendron: Why Your Plant Drips and How to Stop It

The white “mold” on your philodendron is almost certainly mealybugs—a type of scale insect. These pests excrete honeydew, a sticky, dripping substance that can attract ants and lead to sooty mold.

Effective Treatment

1. Spray the plant thoroughly with SunSpray horticultural oil, covering tops and bottoms of leaves and all stems. The oil smothers the mealybugs and dries up honeydew.
2. Place the plant in bright, indirect light. After a few hours, the oil will have dried the pests.
3. Wash the plant off the next day.
4. Repeat every 1–2 weeks for about a month until infestation is gone.

Alternative Product

If horticultural oil is unavailable, Ferti-Lome Triple Action Plus also controls mealybugs (and mites, fungi). Multiple applications are still needed.