What's eating my agave potatorum?

Agave potatorum is a compact houseplant agave vulnerable mainly to scale insects and mealybugs sheltering in its broad leaf axils. Root mealybugs can also attack the rootzone without obvious above-ground signs. Check roots when repotting and treat the whole plant with neem oil at the first sign of infestation.

Crusty bumps on leaves and stems; yellowing and sticky honeydew trails Remove with alcohol swabs; spray with neem oil or horticultural oil every 10 days until clear

White waxy fluff at leaf bases and in crevices; plant looks pale and stunted Isolate plant; dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil drench; repeat weekly

Slow decline, wilting despite adequate water; white powdery residue visible on roots when unpotted Unpot, rinse roots, soak in diluted neem oil solution, repot in fresh dry mix, and drench with systemic insecticide if severe