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What Are These White Spots On My Benjamin Fig?

Ask The Expert: my Benjamin Fig have some little white spots on it\’s leafs.  Is it means my plant has the Pathogen (fungal and bacterial) problem? What can I do?  My plant is about 6 feet tall, we had it for almost 15 years.

Thank you for your speedy reply.  Eleanor

Plant Expert Reply:

Benjamin Fig (Ficus benjamina) is susceptible to many pests from a wide source of pathogens (fungal, bacterial, insects, nematodes).  Since the spots on the plant are white, I don’t think you have a fungal or bacterial infection. Instead the problem sound more like an insect. If the white spots are slightly raised, you have an insect called scale.  If the white spot is found in conjunction with a sooty or moldy substance it is probably mealybugs.  You can get rid of either one of these insects with an insecticide preferably a systemic one.  Check with you local nursery garden center. They should have the right product for your situation.

**Fertilome has a whitefly and mealybug killer that I have used on houseplants. It should be sae for your Benjamin Fig.**