what is wrong with my kalanchoe

by Moira Fernandez
(Rooty Hill, NSW)

Please see the attached photo. The leaves have holes in them, could something be eating away at the plant?
Thanks

Comments for what is wrong with my kalanchoe

Not any more
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

It does look like something was eating the plant a while ago, but the new growth seems fine.

It's possible that there was a caterpillar (it looks like the damage you would get from one) and it's since hatched out into a moth. If the plant was outside, this makes sense, as the adult moth would have been able to lay eggs on it during your summer, and then the eggs hatch into caterpillars, which do the damage.

I would keep an eye on it, and make sure if the new juvenile moth hatches out from the chrysalis, that it has a way to get back outdoors where it belongs (if your plant is indoors).

I might take some cuttings off the plant while it's healthy, to get some more plants going.

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