---
title: "Planta says this is mealy bugs but I also learned it could be mineral…"
description: "Planta says this is mealy bugs but I also learned it could be mineral deposits. She was under watered for a while. What do you all think? Thanks!"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/cV0mvl8I2w7O3eQ09L6nhh"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Allie"
published: "2025-12-01T19:56:35.077551Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/eQTUAKqIsLn3zapifHC0T3pO7ggH-7PZWX_SLLPZdN4/qCdb8dqdStegC6qKZJcs_A.webp?size=large"
---

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# Planta says this is mealy bugs but I also learned it could be mineral…

_Posted by Allie on 2025-12-01_

Planta says this is mealy bugs but I also learned it could be mineral deposits. She was under watered for a while. What do you all think? Thanks!

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/eQTUAKqIsLn3zapifHC0T3pO7ggH-7PZWX_SLLPZdN4/qCdb8dqdStegC6qKZJcs_A.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/eQTUAKqIsLn3zapifHC0T3pO7ggH-7PZWX_SLLPZdN4/SA4dNsySQbmDWEHsdYbTog.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/eQTUAKqIsLn3zapifHC0T3pO7ggH-7PZWX_SLLPZdN4/xCqe11XFRpWxkerrxYm_lQ.webp?size=large)

## 7 comments

### Yuqing Xue commented on 2025-12-01

It looks more like mineral deposited for me. Usually if it is mealy bugs that already developed so many white spots, you will see the bugs easily. But just in case, you can use 70% rubbing alcohol to throughly wipe all leaves by soft cloth, it will work for both mineral stain or mealy bugs.

#### Allie replied on 2025-12-01

Thank you so much! I figured the bugs would be moving. I isolated her, just in case, and will proceed with the alcohol treatment.

#### Yuqing Xue replied on 2025-12-01

Np! Mealy bugs don’t usually move, but when you poke them you can feel the worm-ish soft and juicy texture (yuck…..)

#### Buffy replied on 2025-12-02

Eew!

### Kelly commented on 2025-12-02

Beautiful plant!

#### Allie replied on 2026-01-16

Thanks!

### 🌺 Thai Jade 🌺 commented on 2025-12-02

Not mealy bugs. Mealy bugs look like tiny rolly-pollies wearing white fur coats.

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