What's eating my agave lechuguilla?

Agave lechuguilla grown as a houseplant is most threatened by agave snout weevil and mealybugs. Scale insects can also colonise leaf bases. The thick, fibrous leaves are tough but weevil larvae tunnelling the crown cause rapid, often fatal collapse. Inspect leaf axils regularly and act fast at the first sign of cottony residue or soft tissue.

Larvae tunnel into the crown, causing leaves to turn yellow and the whole plant to collapse suddenly No cure once larvae are inside; remove and destroy infected plants. Prevent with imidacloprid soil drench in spring for outdoor specimens.

White cottony clusters at leaf bases and in axils; sticky honeydew leads to sooty mould Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7–10 days.

Brown or tan waxy bumps along leaf undersides; weakened growth and sticky residue Scrape off manually; treat with horticultural oil spray; ensure good air circulation to discourage reinfestation.