Pest identification
What's eating my kalanchoe 'calandiva'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly clusters in leaf axils and on stems; leaves yellow and drop; plant looks drained
Control: Dab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7–10 days; isolate the plant
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps on thick stems; honeydew leads to sticky residue and sooty mould
Control: Scrape off with a toothbrush; apply horticultural oil or neem oil; repeat fortnightly
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale specks across leaf surfaces; fine webbing in leaf axils; leaves look dusty or bronze
Control: Wipe leaves with damp cloth; spray insecticidal soap; raise humidity slightly; repeat weekly
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae in compost damage roots of cuttings and young plants; adults fly around the pot
Control: Allow soil to dry well between waterings; top-dress with horticultural grit; use sticky yellow traps; drench with Bti if infestation persists
Keep kalanchoe 'calandiva' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Kalanchoe 'Calandiva' pests — FAQ
What is eating my kalanchoe 'calandiva'?
Kalanchoe 'Calandiva' is a succulent indoor plant. Mealybugs are the top pest, targeting the stems and leaf undersides. Scale insects appear on thick stems. Spider mites strike in hot dry rooms. Fungus gnats breed in overwatered compost. All are best managed by watering correctly and inspecting regularly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on kalanchoe 'calandiva'?
White woolly clusters in leaf axils and on stems; leaves yellow and drop; plant looks drained Dab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7–10 days; isolate the plant
How do I get rid of scale insects on kalanchoe 'calandiva'?
Hard brown bumps on thick stems; honeydew leads to sticky residue and sooty mould Scrape off with a toothbrush; apply horticultural oil or neem oil; repeat fortnightly
How do I get rid of spider mites on kalanchoe 'calandiva'?
Tiny pale specks across leaf surfaces; fine webbing in leaf axils; leaves look dusty or bronze Wipe leaves with damp cloth; spray insecticidal soap; raise humidity slightly; repeat weekly
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on kalanchoe 'calandiva'?
Larvae in compost damage roots of cuttings and young plants; adults fly around the pot Allow soil to dry well between waterings; top-dress with horticultural grit; use sticky yellow traps; drench with Bti if infestation persists