Pest identification
What's eating my aloe reitzii?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses in leaf joints; honeydew drips and encourages fungal growth.
Control: Remove with isopropyl alcohol swabs; apply neem oil spray or insecticidal soap weekly until clear.
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps on stems and older leaves; feeding causes leaf yellowing and die-back.
Control: Scrape scales off with a toothbrush dipped in alcohol; follow with horticultural oil spray; repeat in 10 days.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and occasional webbing across leaf faces in warm, dry indoor conditions.
Control: Raise humidity, rinse plant with lukewarm water, and spray insecticidal soap on a weekly schedule.
Keep aloe reitzii pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Aloe Reitzii pests — FAQ
What is eating my aloe reitzii?
Aloe reitzii grown as a houseplant or in a conservatory is mainly threatened by mealybugs hiding in its leaf axils and by scale insects on its thick stems. Spider mites can cause surface damage in low-humidity settings. Root mealybugs may appear if soil stays too moist. Inspect new plants carefully before placing them near others.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on aloe reitzii?
White cottony masses in leaf joints; honeydew drips and encourages fungal growth. Remove with isopropyl alcohol swabs; apply neem oil spray or insecticidal soap weekly until clear.
How do I get rid of scale insects on aloe reitzii?
Hard brown bumps on stems and older leaves; feeding causes leaf yellowing and die-back. Scrape scales off with a toothbrush dipped in alcohol; follow with horticultural oil spray; repeat in 10 days.
How do I get rid of spider mites on aloe reitzii?
Pale stippling and occasional webbing across leaf faces in warm, dry indoor conditions. Raise humidity, rinse plant with lukewarm water, and spray insecticidal soap on a weekly schedule.