Pest identification
What's eating my crested euphorbia?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy wax hidden deep in the crest folds; honeydew drips onto the graft union or pot
Control: Use a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol to reach crest crevices; follow with a neem oil spray; repeat every week
Spider mites
Signs: Dusty, stippled appearance on crest surface; fine webbing in the folds under dry conditions
Control: Gently spray with insecticidal soap, working into the crest ridges; boost humidity marginally to deter mites
Scale insects
Signs: Hard, flat bumps on the crest surface and upper rootstock; slow yellowing or browning of crest tissue
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil carefully, avoiding the graft union if possible
Keep crested euphorbia pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Crested Euphorbia pests — FAQ
What is eating my crested euphorbia?
Crested Euphorbia (Euphorbia lactea crested form) is susceptible to mealybugs lurking in the folds of the undulating crest, and to spider mites in dry indoor air. The grafted nature of many crested specimens means a stem pest can also threaten the rootstock. Scale sometimes appears on the fan-shaped crest.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on crested euphorbia?
White fluffy wax hidden deep in the crest folds; honeydew drips onto the graft union or pot Use a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol to reach crest crevices; follow with a neem oil spray; repeat every week
How do I get rid of spider mites on crested euphorbia?
Dusty, stippled appearance on crest surface; fine webbing in the folds under dry conditions Gently spray with insecticidal soap, working into the crest ridges; boost humidity marginally to deter mites
How do I get rid of scale insects on crested euphorbia?
Hard, flat bumps on the crest surface and upper rootstock; slow yellowing or browning of crest tissue Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil carefully, avoiding the graft union if possible