My daughter in law sprinkled hot pepper (powder, I think) on her potted aloe vera plants for bugs. In a very short time they became mushy. I believe she said she sprinkled some on another plant - I don't know what kind- and the same thing happened. What in the world could have happened??

Why would she put powdered pepper on plants? What was she trying to correct? As far as I know, powdered pepper is not recommended to put on any plants.