Pest identification
What's eating my adromischus cristatus?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluff lodged inside crinkled leaf margins and stem bases; slow decline; honeydew may attract ants
Control: Use alcohol-tipped cotton swabs to reach folded leaf edges; follow with neem oil spray; repeat every 7–10 days
Root mealybugs
Signs: Powdery white coating on roots and compost surface; unexpected wilting; roots blacken and rot if left untreated
Control: Remove from pot, shake off soil, soak roots in diluted insecticidal soap, allow to dry fully before repotting in fresh mix
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps on stems; sap loss weakens the plant; leaves yellow and shrivel
Control: Scrape off with a toothpick or toothbrush; treat with neem oil; monitor monthly
Keep adromischus cristatus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Adromischus Cristatus pests — FAQ
What is eating my adromischus cristatus?
Adromischus Cristatus (Crinkle-Leaf Plant) is most susceptible to mealybugs, which hide in the wavy leaf margins and densely packed rosette. Root mealybugs are a secondary but serious threat in dry gritty compost. Inspect carefully between the crinkled leaf edges where waxy colonies easily go unnoticed.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on adromischus cristatus?
White fluff lodged inside crinkled leaf margins and stem bases; slow decline; honeydew may attract ants Use alcohol-tipped cotton swabs to reach folded leaf edges; follow with neem oil spray; repeat every 7–10 days
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on adromischus cristatus?
Powdery white coating on roots and compost surface; unexpected wilting; roots blacken and rot if left untreated Remove from pot, shake off soil, soak roots in diluted insecticidal soap, allow to dry fully before repotting in fresh mix
How do I get rid of scale insects on adromischus cristatus?
Hard brown bumps on stems; sap loss weakens the plant; leaves yellow and shrivel Scrape off with a toothpick or toothbrush; treat with neem oil; monitor monthly