Pest identification
What's eating my agave havardiana?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard waxy bumps on leaf surfaces and at the base; yellowish halos and sticky honeydew
Control: Scrape off manually, swab with isopropyl alcohol, then apply neem or horticultural oil spray
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white residue in leaf crevices and at the plant's base; pale, weakened foliage
Control: Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs; apply a neem oil drench; keep good airflow around the rosette
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling and webbing on leaf tips in warm, dry indoor conditions
Control: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap spray; lower ambient temperature if possible
Keep agave havardiana pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Agave havardiana pests — FAQ
What is eating my agave havardiana?
Agave havardiana (Havard's agave) grown as a houseplant is a cold-hardy species that pests rarely trouble indoors, but scale insects and mealybugs can appear at leaf axils, particularly if the plant is overcrowded. Spider mites are an occasional issue in very warm rooms. Inspect monthly and treat early to protect this slow-growing agave.
How do I get rid of scale insects on agave havardiana?
Hard waxy bumps on leaf surfaces and at the base; yellowish halos and sticky honeydew Scrape off manually, swab with isopropyl alcohol, then apply neem or horticultural oil spray
How do I get rid of mealybugs on agave havardiana?
Cottony white residue in leaf crevices and at the plant's base; pale, weakened foliage Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs; apply a neem oil drench; keep good airflow around the rosette
How do I get rid of spider mites on agave havardiana?
Fine stippling and webbing on leaf tips in warm, dry indoor conditions Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap spray; lower ambient temperature if possible