Question
I live in Billings, Montana and have several house plants (not sure what any of
them are) that sit in my bay window facing south.  A few months ago I
noticed a thick white dust on the leaves of several of the plants.  I wiped them
off but it keeps coming back.  I now see it all over the stem of several of
them.  Do you have any ideas what this is and how I can treat it?  I'm not
much of a plant person - I just put them out for decoration.  If you need more
information let me know.  Thanks for any help you can give me.

Answer
Hi Deb,

Does the white substance look like little bits of fluffy cotton? If so, I suspect it is a mealybug infestation.

If you can confirm this, I will send you treatment instructions. Otherwise, give me more details as to the white stuff you are finding.

Regards,
Will Creed