Common Symptoms
Mold on the soil surface
A white or yellowish, cottony or powdery deposit develops on the surface of your plant’s potting mix.
Signs to check
- A fuzzy or threadlike white to pale yellow growth forms a thin layer.
- It stays on the potting mix surface without touching the plant's base.
- It compresses or lifts off easily with a tool, revealing moist soil beneath.
- Its soft, organic texture differs from hard, crystalline salt deposits.
Common causes
- Fungus gnats · Tiny black insects flying around the pot and potting mix.
- Overwatering · Soil stays waterlogged, depriving roots of oxygen and causing rot.
- Springtails · Tiny white insects that jump on the surface of moist potting mix.