Pest identification
What's eating my echeveria 'chroma'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy wax clusters in leaf axils; leaves lose color and become soft
Control: Treat with isopropyl alcohol on a swab for spot treatment; follow up with a neem oil drench; re-inspect every 7 days
Root mealybugs
Signs: Plant wilts despite adequate watering; white powdery coating visible on roots when unpotted
Control: Remove all old soil, rinse roots, and repot in fresh dry medium; drench with imidacloprid-based systemic or neem soil drench
Spider mites
Signs: Pale speckled stippling on leaves, especially in dry heated rooms in winter
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; improve air circulation; mist surrounding air (not the plant itself) to raise humidity
Keep echeveria 'chroma' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Echeveria 'Chroma' pests — FAQ
What is eating my echeveria 'chroma'?
Echeveria 'Chroma' is a colorful hybrid succulent whose main pest enemies are mealybugs hiding between tightly packed leaves and spider mites in dry indoor air. Root mealybugs occasionally attack the soil. Overall pest pressure is low when the plant gets bright light and good drainage.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on echeveria 'chroma'?
White fluffy wax clusters in leaf axils; leaves lose color and become soft Treat with isopropyl alcohol on a swab for spot treatment; follow up with a neem oil drench; re-inspect every 7 days
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on echeveria 'chroma'?
Plant wilts despite adequate watering; white powdery coating visible on roots when unpotted Remove all old soil, rinse roots, and repot in fresh dry medium; drench with imidacloprid-based systemic or neem soil drench
How do I get rid of spider mites on echeveria 'chroma'?
Pale speckled stippling on leaves, especially in dry heated rooms in winter Spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; improve air circulation; mist surrounding air (not the plant itself) to raise humidity