Mealybugs

The most common houseplant pests are fungus gnats, spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, and scale insects. Each one hides differently, causes different damage, and responds to a different first treatment. The fastest path to solving any of them is figuring out where the problem is showing up first, not reaching for a product. If nothing is moving and the pattern looks more like spreading spots, mildew, rot, or wilt, switch to the houseplant diseases guide before treating for insects. ...

You go to water your plant and notice white fluffy clusters tucked into the joints where leaves meet the stem. It looks like lint, or maybe a bit of mold. That first moment of uncertainty is normal. The practical answer is this: if the white material is cottony, collects in leaf joints or stem creases, and wipes away with an insect underneath, you are probably dealing with mealybugs. The fix is not one dramatic spray. It is isolation, direct contact treatment, repeat checks, and a quick decision about whether the problem is above the soil or down in the roots. ...