Pest identification
What's eating my alexandra palm?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on frond undersides; stippled or yellowing leaf surface; mites proliferate in low humidity and high heat
Control: Mist fronds to raise humidity; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil thoroughly to leaf undersides and tops every 5–7 days for 3–4 cycles
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy brown bumps on fronds and stems that drain sap; honeydew deposits lead to sooty mold and yellowing fronds
Control: Remove manually with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat treatment after 2–3 weeks to target newly hatched crawlers
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters at frond bases and leaf axils; sticky honeydew fouls foliage and promotes mold
Control: Dab small colonies with isopropyl alcohol; use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray for wider infestations; repeat weekly
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied insects cluster on new fronds and inflorescences outdoors; distort tender growth and excrete honeydew
Control: Knock off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; natural predators (ladybirds, lacewings) provide biological control
Keep alexandra palm pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Alexandra Palm pests — FAQ
What is eating my alexandra palm?
Alexandra palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, and mealybugs — the main threats to Archontophoenix palms. Aphids can cluster on new growth in outdoor settings. Spider mites are the most frequent problem, especially when the palm is kept in dry, warm conditions.
How do I get rid of spider mites on alexandra palm?
Fine webbing on frond undersides; stippled or yellowing leaf surface; mites proliferate in low humidity and high heat Mist fronds to raise humidity; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil thoroughly to leaf undersides and tops every 5–7 days for 3–4 cycles
How do I get rid of scale insects on alexandra palm?
Waxy brown bumps on fronds and stems that drain sap; honeydew deposits lead to sooty mold and yellowing fronds Remove manually with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat treatment after 2–3 weeks to target newly hatched crawlers
How do I get rid of mealybugs on alexandra palm?
White cottony clusters at frond bases and leaf axils; sticky honeydew fouls foliage and promotes mold Dab small colonies with isopropyl alcohol; use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray for wider infestations; repeat weekly
How do I get rid of aphids on alexandra palm?
Soft-bodied insects cluster on new fronds and inflorescences outdoors; distort tender growth and excrete honeydew Knock off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; natural predators (ladybirds, lacewings) provide biological control