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Azalea scabe #926376

Asked March 20, 2026, 12:40 PM EDT

What is the greenish-white growth on this azalea branch . Do I need to do anything about it? Thanks

Prince George's County Maryland

Expert Response

The object pictured isn't very in-focus, but it looks like lichen, a harmless organism that does not harm plants. (Lichen can grow equally well on inanimate objects like wooden park benches, fences, and stones.) If lichen becomes abundant on a plant that is in decline, it's taking advantage of the greater light and rainwater reaching the bark where it's growing, but it was not the cause of that decline. Evergreen azaleas tend to grow best in woodland conditions, so they might harbor  more lichen growth if they're sited in more sun than the shrub would prefer. In either case, though, nothing needs to be done about the lichen itself.

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied March 20, 2026, 1:57 PM EDT

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