Cat Palm White Residue: Mealybugs vs. Mold

Powdery white substance on cat palm: mealybugs look like tiny cotton bits at leaf joints; mold looks like bread mold. Both thrive in the low light and standing water the plant was in.

Treatment by Pest

Mealybugs: Dab with alcohol on Q-tip, then spray entire plant with alcohol twice weekly for 4 weeks.

Mold: Spray aerosol Lysol twice weekly until gone.

Critical Fix

NEVER leave any houseplant in standing water. Move to bright indirect light. The cultural conditions caused both problems.