Pest identification
What's eating my astroloba foliolosa?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy wax in leaf joints and along the stem; yellowing, shrivelling leaves; sticky residue
Control: Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a swab; follow with neem oil spray; isolate plant and repeat weekly
Root mealybugs
Signs: White waxy deposits on roots visible when repotting; wilting despite adequate watering; slow collapse
Control: Remove from pot, wash roots, let dry, treat with systemic insecticide or neem soil drench; repot in fresh mix
Scale insects
Signs: Brown shield-like bumps on stems and leaf bases; weakened, discoloured growth
Control: Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil and repeat after 14 days
Keep astroloba foliolosa pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Astroloba Foliolosa pests — FAQ
What is eating my astroloba foliolosa?
Astroloba foliolosa is a slow-growing haworthioid succulent primarily troubled by mealybugs that colonise its tightly stacked leaf axils. Root mealybugs are an insidious secondary risk in overly damp soil. Scale insects occasionally appear on stems. Vigilant inspection and dry growing conditions are the best defense.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on astroloba foliolosa?
White fluffy wax in leaf joints and along the stem; yellowing, shrivelling leaves; sticky residue Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a swab; follow with neem oil spray; isolate plant and repeat weekly
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on astroloba foliolosa?
White waxy deposits on roots visible when repotting; wilting despite adequate watering; slow collapse Remove from pot, wash roots, let dry, treat with systemic insecticide or neem soil drench; repot in fresh mix
How do I get rid of scale insects on astroloba foliolosa?
Brown shield-like bumps on stems and leaf bases; weakened, discoloured growth Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil and repeat after 14 days