Why does my cactus have white spots?

💬 3 · 👀 536
It looks like cotton. I noticed this recently and since then I can't stop wondering whether I should intervene or not. Until now I hadn't had to do anything like this and that's why I have so many doubts.

Replies (3)

Usuario de Broticola
1/19/2026, 4:46:11 PM
Possibly mealybugs. Remove them with alcohol and check weekly to prevent outbreaks. In my experience, observing for a few days clears up many doubts. There isn’t always a single correct way; it depends a lot on each plant.
Nai33
6/12/2026, 3:40:08 PM
Debe ser cochinilla, una plaga debilita a la planta, súper invasiva. Si vas a limpiar con alcohol aleja a la planta del sol porque se te va a quemar preferiblemente hacelo bien a la tarde cuando el sol no es intenso y dejalo en la sombra. Otra opción es que uses un cepillo de dientes viejo o algodón y elimines la cochinilla a mano con jabón blanco de ropa sin perfume, agua jabonosa. Aunque las quites se pueden esconder en la tierra y en los bordes de la maceta, así que tenés que mantener la plaga controlada, se reproducen rápido, aunque limpies el cactus van a volver en unas dos semanas... yo cambiaría todo el sustrato y lo tiraría, nada de reutilizarlo en otras plantas. También limpiaría la maceta para erradicar cualquier huevo, y por último podés comprar un insecticida con rociador si resurgen para mantenerlas controladas. 👉🏻
Nai33
6/12/2026, 3:41:28 PM
👉🏻last tip, clean the roots with water and soap because they go down. When you clean the roots remove the wet soil because if some roots were damaged the moisture can cause fungus. Also don't water the cactus immediately—give it a few days to adapt to the new soil... cleaning and repotting are stressful for the plant 😮‍💨
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Broticola provides general guidance. Every plant is different.