What's eating my curio rowleyanus?

String of Pearls is most troubled by mealybugs and aphids, which cluster in the bead-like stems. Spider mites attack during dry conditions. Overwatering invites fungus gnats. Inspect the delicate trailing strands regularly and treat early, as the thin stems offer little buffer against heavy infestations.

White cottony clusters at stem joints and between beads; beads shrivel and drop Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow up with neem oil spray weekly for 3 weeks

Fine webbing between beads; beads develop pale stippling and feel dry even when watered Increase humidity, rinse stems gently under lukewarm water, then apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil every 5–7 days

Soft green or black insects on new growth; sticky honeydew residue causes sooty mold on beads Blast off with a gentle water spray; treat with insecticidal soap solution; repeat every week until clear

Larvae feed on roots in soggy soil; adults swarm around the pot; plant wilts despite watering Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults; drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) for larvae