Florist's cyclamen pests, webbing or sticky leaves: causes and what to do
6 results in the diagnosis tree begin with pests, 5 of them marked likely when the answers fit. They are ordered here for Florist's cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), using what its sources say about pests and diseases, humidity and watering and one problem recorded for it.
Sources last read 14 September 2026.
Cyclamen persicum, the Persian cyclamen, is a species of flowering herbaceous perennial plant growing from a tuber, native to rocky hillsides, shrubland, and woodland up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) above sea level, from south-central Turkey to the Levant. Cultivars of this species are the commonly seen florist's cyclamen. Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Native range: Algeria to E. Medit. (subtropical). Also sold as Persian Cyclamen.
What Florist's cyclamen’s sources say that bears on this
- Pests and diseases
- Can be troubled by squirrels and mice, and by vine weevil when in containers. Diseases: black root rot and cyclamen grey mould.RHS · read 13 September 2026
- Humidity
- ASHRAE recommends indoor relative humidity between 30% and 60%Penn State Extension · read 13 September 2026
- Watering
- Water only once the soil feels dry, and keep water off the crown, as that can make the tubers rot. Pour water around the rim or at the pot's base.NC State Extension · read 13 September 2026During growth, water moderately and feed every two weeks with a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser. After flowering, water less, and keep dry while dormant.RHS · read 13 September 2026
How this shows up on a Florist's cyclamen
Irregular notches bitten from leaf edges by an insect pest
The florist's cyclamen wilts and collapses although it has been watered. In the potting mix are cream, C-shaped grubs with brown heads, and few roots remain.
RHS lists vine weevil among the pests it may attract. Grubs hatch in the potting mix and eat the roots out of sight, so a plant in a pot can collapse with little warning.
Telling it apart: Look in the potting mix. C-shaped grubs among eaten roots are vine weevil; a wet, sour root ball is rot.
RHS · read 13 September 2026Possible causes, likeliest first for a Florist's cyclamen
Most likely spider mites
Why: Spider mites feed on individual leaf cells, and each emptied cell shows as a pale speck.
What to try:
- Move the florist's cyclamen away from other plants.
- Wash the leaves, top and underside, with a strong spray of water in a shower or sink.
What would settle it: Hold a sheet of white paper under a leaf and tap the leaf. Tiny specks that move across the paper are mites.
Most likely mealybugs
Why: Mealybugs are soft insects that cover themselves in white wax, which gives the cottony look.
What to try:
- Move the florist's cyclamen away from other plants.
- Wipe off every insect you can see with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, testing a single leaf first.
What would settle it: Touch a tuft with a cotton swab. If a small, pale, oval insect is underneath, it is a mealybug.
Most likely scale insects
Why: Scale insects settle in one place under a hard or waxy shell and feed on sap.
What to try:
- Move the florist's cyclamen away from other plants.
- Scrape the scales off with a fingernail or a soft brush, then wipe the stems and leaves.
What would settle it: Push a bump gently with a fingernail. Scale comes away and leaves a mark; a bump that is part of the florist's cyclamen does not move.
Less likely for a Florist's cyclamen, still possible
Questions
- What usually causes pests on a Florist's cyclamen?
- For Florist's cyclamen: spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects.
- How can I tell which one it is on my Florist's cyclamen?
- What can you see? Fine webbing, and tiny pale speckles on the leaves; White, cottony tufts in the leaf joints; Small brown or pale bumps on stems and leaves that do not move; Clusters of small, soft insects on the new growth; Tiny dark flies around the soil; Sticky, shiny residue, but no insect I can see.
- What do Florist's cyclamen's sources say about its pests and diseases?
- RHS: Can be troubled by squirrels and mice, and by vine weevil when in containers. Diseases: black root rot and cyclamen grey mould.
- What does this look like on a Florist's cyclamen?
- The florist's cyclamen wilts and collapses although it has been watered. In the potting mix are cream, C-shaped grubs with brown heads, and few roots remain. Telling it apart: Look in the potting mix. C-shaped grubs among eaten roots are vine weevil; a wet, sour root ball is rot.
- Is Florist's cyclamen safe to handle while I check it?
- Its sources list it as toxic to cats and dogs. Wash your hands after handling the roots or sap, and keep trimmings away from pets.
Other plants that show pests
African violetIrregular notches bitten from leaf edges by an insect pest
Barberton daisyCurled, sticky new leaves with green or black insects: aphids
Bearded irisRagged holes and slime trails: a slug or snail pest
Bigleaf hydrangeaClusters of small soft insects on the shoot tips and buds: aphids
Bird of paradiseDull, finely mottled leaves and faint webs: spider mites
Blue passion flowerPale stippled leaves and tiny moving dots underneath: a mite pest
Something else wrong with the Florist's cyclamen?
What this does not cover
This page orders a decision tree's results using a plant's sourced care. It has not seen your plant, its pot or its window, and two problems at once are common: that is the usual reason a confident answer turns out wrong. The questions in the diagnosis tool narrow it further than a list can.