What's eating my watch chain plant?

Watch Chain Plant's densely packed, scale-like leaves create ideal hiding spots for mealybugs and fungus gnats. Mealybugs are the primary threat indoors, nesting deep in the foliage where they are hard to reach. Fungus gnats breed in overly moist soil. Keep the growing medium well-draining and inspect stems with a magnifying lens monthly.

Cottony white fluff tucked along the chain-like stems; stunted new growth and leaf drop Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab directly to colonies; repeat neem oil sprays every 7–10 days

Tiny black flies around the soil surface; larvae feed on fine roots causing wilting in young plants Allow the topsoil to dry completely between waterings; apply a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) soil drench and use sticky yellow traps for adults

Hard shell-like bumps on stems; plant weakens and may develop sooty mould Remove by hand with a dampened cloth, then spray with diluted insecticidal soap biweekly