Pest identification
What's eating my crown of thorns?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on leaf undersides; stippled, yellowing or bronzed leaves, especially in dry heat
Control: Spray undersides with insecticidal soap or neem oil; raise humidity; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly masses in leaf axils and at stem joints; distorted new growth
Control: Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray; isolate the plant during treatment
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on soft new shoots and flower bracts; curled leaves and sticky honeydew
Control: Blast off with water; spray with insecticidal soap; introduce ladybirds outdoors
Thrips
Signs: Silvery streaks on petals and leaves; distorted flowers and stippled leaf surfaces
Control: Remove heavily damaged flowers; apply spinosad or neem oil; use sticky blue traps nearby
Keep crown of thorns pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Crown of Thorns pests — FAQ
What is eating my crown of thorns?
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) is most frequently damaged by spider mites and mealybugs indoors, and by aphids when grown outdoors or on a sunny patio. Thrips can distort flowers. Its latex sap deters many chewing insects. Inspect leaf undersides and flower buds regularly; neem oil handles most infestations effectively.
How do I get rid of spider mites on crown of thorns?
Fine webbing on leaf undersides; stippled, yellowing or bronzed leaves, especially in dry heat Spray undersides with insecticidal soap or neem oil; raise humidity; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of mealybugs on crown of thorns?
White woolly masses in leaf axils and at stem joints; distorted new growth Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray; isolate the plant during treatment
How do I get rid of aphids on crown of thorns?
Clusters on soft new shoots and flower bracts; curled leaves and sticky honeydew Blast off with water; spray with insecticidal soap; introduce ladybirds outdoors
How do I get rid of thrips on crown of thorns?
Silvery streaks on petals and leaves; distorted flowers and stippled leaf surfaces Remove heavily damaged flowers; apply spinosad or neem oil; use sticky blue traps nearby