Costco has issued a warning to customers who purchased certain desert willow plants after the retailer said the plants may be infested with an invasive insect capable of spreading diseases that threaten grapevines, citrus trees, and other plants.
The notice applies to Desert Willow Sweet Bubba plants, identified as Item #25215, that were sold between June 24 and July 3, 2026. Rather than returning the plants to stores, customers are being instructed to isolate them and contact local agricultural authorities so inspectors can determine whether the insect is present.
The warning centers on the glassy-winged sharpshooter, an invasive insect that can transmit the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa between host plants. According to Costco’s customer notice, the pest can spread Pierce’s disease, which is capable of killing grapevines, while also affecting citrus trees, landscape plants, and other crops. The company said early detection and a rapid response are necessary to help prevent further spread.
Customers Are Told Not to Return Affected Plants to Costco Stores
According to Costco, customers who purchased the affected plants should keep them in their original containers and separate them from other vegetation. The retailer also advises customers not to plant the desert willow if it has not already been planted, not to transport or relocate it, and not to dispose of it in household trash or compost bins.
If possible, Costco recommends placing the plant inside two sealed trash bags until agricultural inspectors are able to examine it. Customers are instructed to contact their local county agricultural commissioner’s office immediately so inspectors can assess both the plant and nearby vegetation. If the glassy-winged sharpshooter is detected, officials will remove and dispose of the plant, and monitoring traps may also be placed nearby.
Although customers are being asked not to bring the plants back to warehouse locations, Costco said it will provide a full refund to affected members who present the notification letter at their local warehouse. The company also apologized for the inconvenience and said customer cooperation is important to protecting California agriculture.
The Invasive Insect Has Long Concerned California Agriculture
According to the University of California’s Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the glassy-winged sharpshooter is a large leafhopper that feeds on plant fluids and spreads the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa from one plant to another. Researchers have also noted that the insect can fly a quarter mile or more without stopping, making it difficult to contain once established.
The economic impact of Pierce’s disease has remained significant for California’s grape industry. According to a 2025 report prepared for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the disease currently costs California’s grape and wine industry about $110 million each year, while statewide losses could increase by another $56 million annually if the glassy-winged sharpshooter became established throughout the state.
The latest warning follows another Costco plant recall issued earlier this year involving staked grape vines sold between April 21 and May 21. That notice also involved concerns about the glassy-winged sharpshooter and instructed customers not to plant the affected vines because of the potential risk of spreading Pierce’s disease to California vineyards.
