Pest identification
What's eating my chandelier plant?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy deposits at stem joints and on the undersides of leaves; honeydew, sooty mold, and leaf drop.
Control: Wipe off with isopropyl alcohol; spray neem oil solution covering all stem surfaces; repeat every seven days until clear.
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or yellowish hard bumps on stems; weakened growth and sticky residue encouraging mold.
Control: Remove manually with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil or neem oil; inspect stems fortnightly.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing between stems and pale stippling on leaves; infestations escalate fast in heated, dry rooms.
Control: Mist leaves to raise humidity; spray with insecticidal soap; isolate from other houseplants immediately.
Keep chandelier plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Chandelier Plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my chandelier plant?
Chandelier Plant (mother of thousands) is primarily attacked indoors by mealybugs and scale insects on its succulent stems. Spider mites can appear in dry conditions. Its prolific plantlets drop readily and form new plants, but pest colonies spread just as quickly. Mealybugs are the most frequently reported indoor pest on this species.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on chandelier plant?
White waxy deposits at stem joints and on the undersides of leaves; honeydew, sooty mold, and leaf drop. Wipe off with isopropyl alcohol; spray neem oil solution covering all stem surfaces; repeat every seven days until clear.
How do I get rid of scale insects on chandelier plant?
Brown or yellowish hard bumps on stems; weakened growth and sticky residue encouraging mold. Remove manually with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil or neem oil; inspect stems fortnightly.
How do I get rid of spider mites on chandelier plant?
Fine webbing between stems and pale stippling on leaves; infestations escalate fast in heated, dry rooms. Mist leaves to raise humidity; spray with insecticidal soap; isolate from other houseplants immediately.