Pest identification
What's eating my aloe speciosa?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses in leaf axils; honeydew makes surfaces sticky and promotes sooty mould.
Control: Remove with alcohol swabs and spray with neem oil solution weekly; for large plants, a pressurised insecticidal soap spray works well.
Scale insects
Signs: Shell-like brown bumps on the stem and older leaf bases; leaves yellow and growth stalls.
Control: Scrape off with a stiff brush, apply rubbing alcohol, then follow with horticultural oil spray; repeat after 10 days.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and occasional webbing on the upper leaf surface in dry, warm conditions.
Control: Increase humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap every 5–7 days.
Keep aloe speciosa pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Aloe Speciosa pests — FAQ
What is eating my aloe speciosa?
Aloe speciosa is a tall, striking aloe that indoors or in a warm greenhouse is most commonly attacked by mealybugs nestled in its tightly arranged leaf bases. Scale insects can accumulate on its thick stems. Spider mites appear in hot, dry air. Its size means infestations can go unnoticed — check the stem base and leaf undersides regularly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on aloe speciosa?
White cottony masses in leaf axils; honeydew makes surfaces sticky and promotes sooty mould. Remove with alcohol swabs and spray with neem oil solution weekly; for large plants, a pressurised insecticidal soap spray works well.
How do I get rid of scale insects on aloe speciosa?
Shell-like brown bumps on the stem and older leaf bases; leaves yellow and growth stalls. Scrape off with a stiff brush, apply rubbing alcohol, then follow with horticultural oil spray; repeat after 10 days.
How do I get rid of spider mites on aloe speciosa?
Pale stippling and occasional webbing on the upper leaf surface in dry, warm conditions. Increase humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap every 5–7 days.