---
title: "Please help! My pilea has these white spots on the bottom of almost…"
description: "Please help! My pilea has these white spots on the bottom of almost all of its leaves, I panicked and assumed it was mealy bugs, but the pattern on the leaves…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/16-GomKWTYmP_TiiEawZ6Q"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Kristen Porman"
published: "2024-02-07T07:36:19.717375Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/caXmQd9ug6IA6QZ1CdPd2NDCFUH7LMVHNerYlO5_WEY/KfOasoJMS6uNuCc6jLWUCw.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Anything about plants](https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg.md)

# Please help! My pilea has these white spots on the bottom of almost…

_Posted by Kristen Porman on 2024-02-07_

Please help! My pilea has these white spots on the bottom of almost all of its leaves, I panicked and assumed it was mealy bugs, but the pattern on the leaves is very specific on every single leaf, and when I’ve wiped off the white bits, they don’t move, they just feel like salt or sand, something like that. Does anyone know what it is/how to deal with it? Thank you so much💚

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/caXmQd9ug6IA6QZ1CdPd2NDCFUH7LMVHNerYlO5_WEY/KfOasoJMS6uNuCc6jLWUCw.webp?size=large)

## 10 comments

### Cline commented on 2024-02-07

Commenting to stay in the loop.  
Same thing happened to my first one and I lost it! Second one is doing great so far but need to know just in case.  
Good luck!

### Mels commented on 2024-02-07

Totally normal! Stomata from mineral buildup. I googled once I noticed them on mine, apparently it’s pretty common!

#### Dave\_opuntiaface replied on 2024-02-07

Mineral buildup. Thank you for writing these two words, as I forgot about them in the middle of my “is this a bug, or is it pearlite dust that touched Neem and squished in my fingers exactly like a bug.” 🤘🤘

#### Kristen Porman replied on 2024-02-07

Thank you!

#### Mels replied on 2024-02-12

Hahaha my paranoid brain goes to ‘bug!’ right away too… I just inspected fluff on an alocasia leaf for like five minutes with my phone flashlight set to max.

### Sunny commented on 2024-02-07

Excess water in the plants can cause the same pattern. Too high humidity, overwatering or drafts/cooler temperatures around the plant can cause edema/oedema where the plant pushes out excess water. They can look like water bubbles that burst leaving brown dots/pock marks, raised scar tissue or look like white crystals being pushed out. It’s common in pilea. But, it’s still a sign the plant has more water than it needs and can’t release during normal transpiration.

High humidity makes it difficult for the plants to transpire. Cooler temperatures or drafts slows the growth (and slows evaporation of water in the soil) and the plant uses less water which leads to edema.

Check if the soil is staying wet longer, if the plant is near drafty doors/windows or if the humidity levels are too high.

#### Kristen Porman replied on 2024-02-07

Thanks so much, this is very helpful💚

### Happy4Hoya commented on 2024-02-07

I have the same thing happening and it’s from watering issues. I’m getting mine back on track and hopefully these scars and marks will stop on any new growth coming in.

### Plant Father commented on 2024-02-07

looks like mineral build up. definitely is if you have very hard or softened water and have been using the tap to water your pilea

#### Kristen Porman replied on 2024-02-07

Thank you!

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_