Peace Lily with Sticky Leaves? It's Scale—Here's the Treatment Plan

Sticky Peace Lily? Identify and Eliminate Scale Insects

Frani's peace lily (over a year old) has dry, brown-edged flowers and sticky leaves with what look like insect bites on new shoots. She waters regularly but may have overwatered before vacation. Plant sits in a sheer-curtained southeast window.

Diagnosis from Will Creed

The stickiness is honeydew from scale insects. Look for slightly raised oval bumps on leaf undersides—these are the scales. They don't look or move like typical bugs.

Treatment Steps

1. Cut off badly infested or discolored leaves.
2. Spray thoroughly with: 5 parts water, 1 part rubbing alcohol, squirt of liquid soap. Cover all surfaces until dripping, especially crevices near soil.
3. Repeat in 5–7 days to catch crawlers.
4. Check weekly for recurrence.

Note: Flowers naturally last only a week before browning—that's normal.

For more help, contact Will at wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com or visit HorticulturalHelp.com.