What's eating my florida arrowroot?

Florida Arrowroot (Zamia floridana) grown indoors is most threatened by scale insects, which colonize stems and leaf bases. Spider mites and mealybugs also attack, especially in dry indoor conditions. Inspect leaf undersides and stem joints regularly; isolate new plants before introducing them to your collection.

Brown or tan bumps on stems and leaf midribs; leaves yellow and plants weaken as insects suck sap. Scrape off with a soft brush, then apply rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab; treat with horticultural oil or neem oil spray, repeating every 7–10 days until clear.

White cottony clusters in leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew and sooty mold follow. Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol, then spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks.

Fine webbing on new leaflets; stippled, dull foliage, especially in low-humidity indoor environments. Raise humidity, rinse foliage under the shower, then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days.