Pest identification
What's eating my caralluma acutangula?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony tufts along stem ribs and at the base; stunted growth; honeydew deposits and possible sooty mold.
Control: Apply isopropyl alcohol directly to colonies with a cotton swab. Spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days for at least three applications.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale silvery stippling on stem surfaces; fine webbing along ribs in hot, dry indoor conditions.
Control: Wipe stems with a moist cloth. Follow with repeated neem oil sprays weekly. Lower ambient temperature and move plant away from heating sources.
Root mealybugs
Signs: General wilting despite correct watering; roots covered in white waxy powder visible when the plant is unpotted.
Control: Bare-root, rinse off all medium, and soak in an imidacloprid or neem drench. Repot in fresh gritty cactus mix and withhold water for a week.
Keep caralluma acutangula pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Caralluma acutangula pests — FAQ
What is eating my caralluma acutangula?
Caralluma acutangula is a leafless succulent stapeliad cultivated indoors, where mealybugs are the primary pest threat, colonising the angles of its four-ribbed stems. Spider mites and root mealybugs are secondary risks in dry or overly wet soil respectively. Quarterly inspections and minimal watering keep problems away.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on caralluma acutangula?
White cottony tufts along stem ribs and at the base; stunted growth; honeydew deposits and possible sooty mold. Apply isopropyl alcohol directly to colonies with a cotton swab. Spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days for at least three applications.
How do I get rid of spider mites on caralluma acutangula?
Pale silvery stippling on stem surfaces; fine webbing along ribs in hot, dry indoor conditions. Wipe stems with a moist cloth. Follow with repeated neem oil sprays weekly. Lower ambient temperature and move plant away from heating sources.
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on caralluma acutangula?
General wilting despite correct watering; roots covered in white waxy powder visible when the plant is unpotted. Bare-root, rinse off all medium, and soak in an imidacloprid or neem drench. Repot in fresh gritty cactus mix and withhold water for a week.