Pest identification
What's eating my buddhist pine?
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown or tan bumps stuck to stems and leaf midribs; yellowing, dropping leaves; sticky surface
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to stems and foliage; repeat every 2 weeks until clear
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling on needle-like leaves, fading color, and webbing between stems in dry indoor air
Control: Increase humidity; wipe foliage with a damp cloth; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until resolved
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly masses at stem joints and leaf axils; slow growth and sticky deposits
Control: Dab with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; apply neem oil spray to all plant surfaces, repeating weekly for three to four weeks
Keep buddhist pine pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Buddhist Pine pests — FAQ
What is eating my buddhist pine?
Buddhist Pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus) kept indoors is most vulnerable to scale insects, which cluster on stems and cause leaf yellowing. Spider mites appear in low humidity, causing needle stippling. Mealybugs attack stem joints, and fungus gnats breed in waterlogged potting mix. Outdoors, aphids and sooty mold are additional concerns.
How do I get rid of scale insects on buddhist pine?
Small brown or tan bumps stuck to stems and leaf midribs; yellowing, dropping leaves; sticky surface Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to stems and foliage; repeat every 2 weeks until clear
How do I get rid of spider mites on buddhist pine?
Fine stippling on needle-like leaves, fading color, and webbing between stems in dry indoor air Increase humidity; wipe foliage with a damp cloth; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until resolved
How do I get rid of mealybugs on buddhist pine?
White woolly masses at stem joints and leaf axils; slow growth and sticky deposits Dab with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; apply neem oil spray to all plant surfaces, repeating weekly for three to four weeks