What's eating my cordyline australis?

Cordyline australis is grown both indoors and outdoors in mild climates (en-GB: common garden plant in sheltered spots). Indoors, spider mites and mealybugs are the primary threats. Outdoors in the UK, the Cordyline slime flux disease and scale are concerns, and slugs may attack young plants at ground level. Protect from hard frost, which weakens plants and invites rot.

Pale stippling on the long strap leaves; fine webbing in dry indoor conditions; foliage loses luster Mist foliage; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly for 3 weeks; move plant to a more humid spot

Cottony white clusters at the base of leaves in the crown; yellowing foliage and sticky honeydew Remove with isopropyl-alcohol swabs; spray with neem oil covering all leaf bases and the crown interior; repeat weekly

Waxy brown or soft-bodied bumps on stems and leaf midribs; sticky honeydew and sooty mold deposits Scrub off with a soft brush; treat with horticultural oil spray; repeat after 10–14 days

Ragged holes or notched edges on lower leaves, particularly on young plants at ground level; silvery slime trails Remove by hand at night; apply slug pellets (ferric phosphate, safe for wildlife) around the base; use copper tape on containers