Pest identification
What's eating my alii fig?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale speckling running along narrow leaves; webbing visible along the midrib and between densely packed leaves; rapid spread in dry heated rooms
Control: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; raise humidity with a tray of pebbles and water; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on all surfaces weekly; isolate the plant
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony wax in leaf axils along the long stems and at stem-leaf junctions; honeydew and sooty mould; leaves yellow and droop
Control: Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray entire plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 7-10 days; thoroughly inspect stem bases where colonies hide
Scale insects (soft scale)
Signs: Small, flat brown bumps running along stems; sticky deposits below; foliage pales and vigour declines
Control: Scrape off with a soft brush; wipe stems with neem oil solution; apply a systemic insecticide for large infestations; quarantine new plants to prevent introduction
Keep alii fig pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Alii Fig pests — FAQ
What is eating my alii fig?
Alii Fig (Ficus maclellandii 'Alii') is a graceful indoor tropical with long, narrow leaves. Spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects are the principal pests — the same trio that troubles most indoor Ficus. The narrow foliage makes mealybugs in leaf axils easy to miss. Low indoor humidity is the main driver of spider mite outbreaks.
How do I get rid of spider mites on alii fig?
Fine pale speckling running along narrow leaves; webbing visible along the midrib and between densely packed leaves; rapid spread in dry heated rooms Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; raise humidity with a tray of pebbles and water; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on all surfaces weekly; isolate the plant
How do I get rid of mealybugs on alii fig?
White cottony wax in leaf axils along the long stems and at stem-leaf junctions; honeydew and sooty mould; leaves yellow and droop Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray entire plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 7-10 days; thoroughly inspect stem bases where colonies hide
How do I get rid of scale insects (soft scale) on alii fig?
Small, flat brown bumps running along stems; sticky deposits below; foliage pales and vigour declines Scrape off with a soft brush; wipe stems with neem oil solution; apply a systemic insecticide for large infestations; quarantine new plants to prevent introduction