Pest identification
What's eating my aloe 'doran black'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses in leaf axils and along the stem; sticky honeydew; leaves yellow and weaken
Control: Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray to whole plant; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan bumps on leaf undersides and stems; reduced vigour; sooty mold
Control: Scrape off manually; treat with horticultural oil; repeat after 14 days
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing; silvery or bronze stippling on dark foliage; leaves look dull
Control: Increase humidity; shower leaves to dislodge mites; apply miticide or neem oil every 5–7 days
Keep aloe 'doran black' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Aloe 'Doran Black' pests — FAQ
What is eating my aloe 'doran black'?
Aloe 'Doran Black', a compact hybrid aloe grown as a houseplant, is most commonly attacked by mealybugs hiding in leaf axils. Scale insects and spider mites are secondary threats, especially in dry or stagnant air. Inspect at every watering and treat early with isopropyl alcohol to prevent colony spread.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on aloe 'doran black'?
White cottony masses in leaf axils and along the stem; sticky honeydew; leaves yellow and weaken Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray to whole plant; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of scale insects on aloe 'doran black'?
Brown or tan bumps on leaf undersides and stems; reduced vigour; sooty mold Scrape off manually; treat with horticultural oil; repeat after 14 days
How do I get rid of spider mites on aloe 'doran black'?
Fine webbing; silvery or bronze stippling on dark foliage; leaves look dull Increase humidity; shower leaves to dislodge mites; apply miticide or neem oil every 5–7 days