Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone knows why my succulent , I think it's an euphorbia, has started leaking some clear sap from its stems? They look like rain drops but they're sticky. Should I get worried? Thanks everyone who can help!

Siciliancactus said:Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone knows why my succulent , I think it's an euphorbia, has started leaking some clear sap from its stems? They look like rain drops but they're sticky. Should I get worried? Thanks everyone who can help!

Imma stop you right at the beginning and say this is sanseveria/now draceana(maybe cylindrica) and its not sap, but likely nectar. I suggest you read up basic biology(differentiate monocots from dicots for a start) if you want a more detailed explanation. But long story short and in laymans terms...not sap, but nectar, happens with succulents like these, agave has it too...

skopjecollection said:

Imma stop you right at the beginning and say this is sanseveria/now draceana(maybe cylindrica) and its not sap, but likely nectar. I suggest you read up basic biology(differentiate monocots from dicots for a start) if you want a more detailed explanation. But long story short and in laymans terms...not sap, but nectar, happens with succulents like these, agave has it too...

You are so so kind! Thanks so much for your help I really appreciate your time and explanation!

I've never seen nectar on my Sans (Dracaena ) short of one blooming. That's not to say it doesn't happen, but I've had a lot of Sans. Have you seen any creepy crawlies on your plant?

I would imagine there are flowers above the stem with that stuff on it. Something like this, maybe? Note nectar droplets.

I think some succulents may produce this kind of nectar/sap , this is opuntia canterae that producing the same thing, the ants like it very much, there used to be a lot of ants visiting the opuntia and I never aware of this sap, until I killed the whole colony of the ants, then I can see this nectar / sap on the opuntias..

I wonder what the reason is behind it. I think scale produces "nectar" which attracts ants, but I forgot why they do that. But, plants doing it themselves? I wonder why the evolutionary trait?

Nectar is usual :)
My sans do that too

sedumzz said:Nectar is usual :)
My sans do that too

Really?! I guess my Sans are holding out on me.

I've never seen Sans do this. Maybe it's just that species.

Hamwild said:I wonder what the reason is behind it. I think scale produces "nectar" which attracts ants, but I forgot why they do that. But, plants doing it themselves? I wonder why the evolutionary trait?

. Ants are viciously protective of food sources. That nectar is a food source for the ants so the ants will keep away anything harmful. Except for aphids. Aphids have adapted to there ant friends too by "pooping" a sweet byproduct to attract them as well. Ants a little protective caretakers, but I learned from experience in a flower garden if you see a lot of ant's you may have a aphid problem.