Troubleshooting
Pink Spur Flower problems — and how to fix them
Pink Spur Flower (Plectranthus ecklonii) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Leggy, straggly growth
Without annual hard pruning after flowering (mid-winter), plants quickly become woody and bare at the base; cut stems back by one-half to two-thirds to regenerate a bushy shape.
Mealybugs in sheltered indoor conditions
Waxy white mealybug colonies accumulate in leaf axils and on stems; dab with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol for small infestations or use a systemic insecticide on large plants.
Prevent pink spur flower problems before they start
Most pink spur flower issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Pink Spur Flower problems — FAQ
Why is my pink spur flower leggy, straggly growth?
Without annual hard pruning after flowering (mid-winter), plants quickly become woody and bare at the base; cut stems back by one-half to two-thirds to regenerate a bushy shape.
Why is my pink spur flower mealybugs in sheltered indoor conditions?
Waxy white mealybug colonies accumulate in leaf axils and on stems; dab with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol for small infestations or use a systemic insecticide on large plants.