Pest identification
What's eating my corkscrew rush?
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Fine stippling and pale streaking on stems; fine webbing visible in severe cases. Worst in hot, dry indoor air.
Control: Raise humidity by misting or using a pebble tray; wipe stems with damp cloth. Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Move away from dry radiators.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in stem crevices; weakens plant and excretes sticky honeydew.
Control: Dab individual colonies with a cotton bud soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Follow up with neem oil spray. Isolate the plant promptly.
Scale insects
Signs: Brown, waxy bumps on stems; sap loss leads to yellowing and reduced vigour.
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply systemic insecticide or neem oil. Repeat weekly for several weeks.
Keep corkscrew rush pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Corkscrew Rush pests — FAQ
What is eating my corkscrew rush?
Grown as a houseplant, Corkscrew Rush can attract spider mites in dry indoor conditions, and mealybugs sometimes hide in the spiral stems. Scale insects and aphids occasionally appear. Boosting humidity and avoiding drought stress are the best prevention — the plant is generally resilient but dislikes dry air.
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus urticae) on corkscrew rush?
Fine stippling and pale streaking on stems; fine webbing visible in severe cases. Worst in hot, dry indoor air. Raise humidity by misting or using a pebble tray; wipe stems with damp cloth. Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Move away from dry radiators.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on corkscrew rush?
White cottony clusters in stem crevices; weakens plant and excretes sticky honeydew. Dab individual colonies with a cotton bud soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Follow up with neem oil spray. Isolate the plant promptly.
How do I get rid of scale insects on corkscrew rush?
Brown, waxy bumps on stems; sap loss leads to yellowing and reduced vigour. Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply systemic insecticide or neem oil. Repeat weekly for several weeks.