What's eating my bluff lettuce?

Bluff Lettuce is a coastal California native Dudleya grown as a houseplant. Mealybugs are the most common indoor pest, concealing themselves in the dense rosette. Aphids attack flower stalks when the plant blooms. As with all Dudleyas, the powdery leaf coating is fragile — direct spraying harms the plant's appearance, so target treatments at stems only.

Waxy white clusters tucked between succulent leaves and at the base; feeding weakens the plant, causing yellowing and leaf drop Dab directly with a cotton swab soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol; avoid wetting leaf surfaces; repeat every 7 days until clear

Clusters of small insects on flower stems and emerging new leaves; sticky honeydew and distorted growth are signs Rinse flower stems gently with insecticidal soap solution; for houseplant use, a cotton swab with alcohol works on small colonies

Shell-like brown bumps on stems; honeydew secretion can encourage sooty mould if untreated Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; treat affected areas with rubbing alcohol; apply neem oil to stems as a follow-up deterrent