Pest identification
What's eating my agave lophantha?
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan shell-like bumps on leaves and stems; sticky honeydew residue and yellowing foliage
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along the midrib; stunted growth and sooty mold
Control: Remove manually with alcohol-dipped swabs; spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate the plant
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing between leaves and tiny yellow stippling on leaf surfaces in hot, dry conditions
Control: Increase humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray
Keep agave lophantha pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Agave lophantha pests — FAQ
What is eating my agave lophantha?
Agave lophantha grown as a houseplant is most troubled by agave snout weevil outdoors, but indoors the main threats are scale insects and mealybugs hiding in leaf axils, plus occasional spider mites in dry conditions. Inspect leaf bases regularly and treat early with isopropyl alcohol or neem oil.
How do I get rid of scale insects on agave lophantha?
Brown or tan shell-like bumps on leaves and stems; sticky honeydew residue and yellowing foliage Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of mealybugs on agave lophantha?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along the midrib; stunted growth and sooty mold Remove manually with alcohol-dipped swabs; spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate the plant
How do I get rid of spider mites on agave lophantha?
Fine webbing between leaves and tiny yellow stippling on leaf surfaces in hot, dry conditions Increase humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray