Pest identification
What's eating my astroloba spiralis?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy fluff tucked into spiral leaf axils; sticky honeydew on lower leaves; yellowing and weakening of growth
Control: Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab to each bug; follow with neem oil spray; repeat for 3–4 weeks
Scale insects
Signs: Hard raised bumps on stems and the undersides of older leaves; sooty mold; stunted growth
Control: Scrape off with a soft brush; treat with horticultural oil spray twice, 2 weeks apart
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults fly around soil; larvae chew fine roots causing wilting and poor growth in heavy or wet soil
Control: Allow soil to dry out fully between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench
Keep astroloba spiralis pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Astroloba Spiralis pests — FAQ
What is eating my astroloba spiralis?
Astroloba spiralis, with its spirally arranged leaves, creates tight gaps where mealybugs love to hide. This is by far the most common pest on indoor specimens. Scale insects occasionally colonise stems. Keep the plant in good light with minimal humidity and inspect leaf axils at every watering.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on astroloba spiralis?
White waxy fluff tucked into spiral leaf axils; sticky honeydew on lower leaves; yellowing and weakening of growth Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab to each bug; follow with neem oil spray; repeat for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of scale insects on astroloba spiralis?
Hard raised bumps on stems and the undersides of older leaves; sooty mold; stunted growth Scrape off with a soft brush; treat with horticultural oil spray twice, 2 weeks apart
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on astroloba spiralis?
Adults fly around soil; larvae chew fine roots causing wilting and poor growth in heavy or wet soil Allow soil to dry out fully between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench