Pest identification
What's eating my dracaena reflexa?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps on stems and leaf undersides; leaves become sticky and develop sooty mold
Control: Remove mechanically with a soft brush and soapy water; follow with horticultural oil spray every 10 days for a month
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses in leaf axils and where leaves meet stems; slow growth and leaf drop
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray with neem oil solution weekly for 3–4 weeks
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing and pale stippling on the narrow leaves, worse in dry centrally heated rooms
Control: Rinse foliage under water; apply insecticidal soap every 5–7 days, paying attention to leaf undersides
Keep dracaena reflexa pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Dracaena Reflexa pests — FAQ
What is eating my dracaena reflexa?
Dracaena Reflexa can attract several indoor pests, especially when conditions are less than ideal. Scale insects are the most serious threat, hiding along the stems and leaf nodes. Mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips are secondary. Good light, consistent watering, and occasional leaf-wiping keep the plant healthy and pest-resistant.
How do I get rid of scale insects on dracaena reflexa?
Hard brown bumps on stems and leaf undersides; leaves become sticky and develop sooty mold Remove mechanically with a soft brush and soapy water; follow with horticultural oil spray every 10 days for a month
How do I get rid of mealybugs on dracaena reflexa?
White cottony masses in leaf axils and where leaves meet stems; slow growth and leaf drop Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray with neem oil solution weekly for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of spider mites on dracaena reflexa?
Fine webbing and pale stippling on the narrow leaves, worse in dry centrally heated rooms Rinse foliage under water; apply insecticidal soap every 5–7 days, paying attention to leaf undersides