Pest identification
What's eating my gasteria pulchra?
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly deposits between and beneath leaves; honeydew drip; stunted, yellowing growth.
Control: Remove manually with an alcohol swab; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7–10 days for a month.
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps on leaf undersides and stems; leaves look dull; sooty mould may develop.
Control: Pick off scales with an alcohol swab or soft brush; apply horticultural oil and repeat after two weeks.
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale stippling on leaves; fine webs in severe infestations; leaves dry out prematurely.
Control: Raise humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly for three weeks.
Keep gasteria pulchra pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Gasteria Pulchra pests — FAQ
What is eating my gasteria pulchra?
Gasteria pulchra is a compact, slow-growing succulent kept as a houseplant. Mealybugs are the most common threat, exploiting its tight leaf arrangement to hide undetected. Spider mites can appear in very dry indoor air. Regular inspection — especially under leaves and at the plant base — catches problems before they spread.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on gasteria pulchra?
White woolly deposits between and beneath leaves; honeydew drip; stunted, yellowing growth. Remove manually with an alcohol swab; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7–10 days for a month.
How do I get rid of scale insects on gasteria pulchra?
Hard brown bumps on leaf undersides and stems; leaves look dull; sooty mould may develop. Pick off scales with an alcohol swab or soft brush; apply horticultural oil and repeat after two weeks.
How do I get rid of spider mites on gasteria pulchra?
Tiny pale stippling on leaves; fine webs in severe infestations; leaves dry out prematurely. Raise humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly for three weeks.