Pest identification
What's eating my dorothy's living stones?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits between leaf lobes or at the plant base; yellowing or collapsing leaf pair
Control: Dab infested areas with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply diluted neem oil; repeat every two weeks
Root mealybugs
Signs: Plant wilts or fails to plump after watering; white powdery colonies visible on roots at repotting
Control: Remove from pot, wash roots, soak in imidacloprid or neem solution, repot in sterile gritty mix
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae damage shallow roots in wet media; adults emerge from soil surface
Control: Water sparingly as the species requires; top-dress with coarse grit; trap adults with yellow sticky cards
Keep dorothy's living stones pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Dorothy's Living Stones pests — FAQ
What is eating my dorothy's living stones?
Dorothy's Living Stones (Lithops dorotheae) shares the same pest profile as all Lithops: mealybugs sheltering between the leaf pairs are the primary threat, with root mealybugs causing hidden damage below the soil. Fungus gnats are a secondary nuisance. Correct dry-season watering is the best defence — a stressed or overwatered plant attracts pests far more readily.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on dorothy's living stones?
Cottony white deposits between leaf lobes or at the plant base; yellowing or collapsing leaf pair Dab infested areas with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply diluted neem oil; repeat every two weeks
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on dorothy's living stones?
Plant wilts or fails to plump after watering; white powdery colonies visible on roots at repotting Remove from pot, wash roots, soak in imidacloprid or neem solution, repot in sterile gritty mix
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on dorothy's living stones?
Larvae damage shallow roots in wet media; adults emerge from soil surface Water sparingly as the species requires; top-dress with coarse grit; trap adults with yellow sticky cards