Pest identification
What's eating my euphorbia antisyphilitica?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony patches at the base of stem clusters where wax is thinnest; new growth may be distorted.
Control: Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; apply diluted neem oil spray to the base and repeat after 10 days.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling on the slender green-grey stems; fine webbing visible between stems in severe cases.
Control: Improve airflow, apply insecticidal soap spray, and repeat every seven days for three treatments.
Keep euphorbia antisyphilitica pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Euphorbia antisyphilitica pests — FAQ
What is eating my euphorbia antisyphilitica?
Euphorbia antisyphilitica, candelilla, is a waxy, slender-stemmed succulent from the Chihuahuan Desert. Its heavy wax coating provides natural pest resistance. Indoors, mealybugs are occasionally found at stem bases. Spider mites can appear in poor ventilation. It is one of the more pest-resistant euphorbias due to its thick epicuticular wax.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on euphorbia antisyphilitica?
White cottony patches at the base of stem clusters where wax is thinnest; new growth may be distorted. Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; apply diluted neem oil spray to the base and repeat after 10 days.
How do I get rid of spider mites on euphorbia antisyphilitica?
Pale stippling on the slender green-grey stems; fine webbing visible between stems in severe cases. Improve airflow, apply insecticidal soap spray, and repeat every seven days for three treatments.