Pest identification
What's eating my dracaena 'song of india'?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and webbing nestled in the dense leaf whorls; leaves may yellow and shrivel
Control: Shower entire plant, raise humidity, and spray insecticidal soap or neem oil into every whorl weekly
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony masses between overlapping leaves and at stem joints; honeydew makes leaves sticky
Control: Dab each colony with an alcohol swab; follow with systemic neem drench to eliminate root mealybugs
Scale insects
Signs: Flat brown discs on stems and leaf undersides; sooty mold grows on honeydew below
Control: Remove manually with soapy toothbrush; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat in 14 days
Keep dracaena 'song of india' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Dracaena 'Song of India' pests — FAQ
What is eating my dracaena 'song of india'?
Dracaena 'Song of India' is particularly susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. Its densely whorled, cream-edged leaves trap dust and provide shelter for pests. In dry heated rooms, spider mites spread rapidly between overlapping leaves. Inspect the underside of each whorl and wipe leaves with a damp cloth monthly.
How do I get rid of spider mites on dracaena 'song of india'?
Pale stippling and webbing nestled in the dense leaf whorls; leaves may yellow and shrivel Shower entire plant, raise humidity, and spray insecticidal soap or neem oil into every whorl weekly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on dracaena 'song of india'?
Cottony masses between overlapping leaves and at stem joints; honeydew makes leaves sticky Dab each colony with an alcohol swab; follow with systemic neem drench to eliminate root mealybugs
How do I get rid of scale insects on dracaena 'song of india'?
Flat brown discs on stems and leaf undersides; sooty mold grows on honeydew below Remove manually with soapy toothbrush; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat in 14 days