Pest identification
What's eating my dragon tree?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale spots and streaks along narrow leaves; fine webbing at leaf bases; foliage turns dull bronze.
Control: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; increase humidity; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly.
Scale insects
Signs: Tan or brown shell-like bumps on canes and leaf bases; honeydew and sooty mould below.
Control: Scrub off with a soft brush and soapy water; treat with horticultural oil; repeat every 10–14 days.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony residue where leaves meet the stem; leaves yellow; growth stunts.
Control: Swab with isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil drench on soil and spray on foliage.
Keep dragon tree pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Dragon tree pests — FAQ
What is eating my dragon tree?
Dragon tree is most troubled by spider mites, which thrive in the dry indoor air that the plant prefers. Scale insects colonise the cane stems, and mealybugs appear in leaf axils. Thrips can occasionally damage the narrow leaf margins. Regular leaf-dusting, adequate humidity, and vigilant inspection of new plants are the main defences.
How do I get rid of spider mites on dragon tree?
Tiny pale spots and streaks along narrow leaves; fine webbing at leaf bases; foliage turns dull bronze. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; increase humidity; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly.
How do I get rid of scale insects on dragon tree?
Tan or brown shell-like bumps on canes and leaf bases; honeydew and sooty mould below. Scrub off with a soft brush and soapy water; treat with horticultural oil; repeat every 10–14 days.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on dragon tree?
White cottony residue where leaves meet the stem; leaves yellow; growth stunts. Swab with isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil drench on soil and spray on foliage.