Pest identification
What's eating my gasteria rawlinsonii?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters in leaf axils or along the midrib; sticky honeydew; leaves yellowing.
Control: Swab individual bugs with isopropyl alcohol; follow with fortnightly neem oil sprays until the plant is clean.
Scale insects
Signs: Brown waxy bumps adhering to leaves; dulled colouration; sooty mould on sticky exudate.
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush and alcohol; treat with horticultural oil spray; repeat in two weeks.
Root mealybugs
Signs: White cottony colonies on roots; plant wilts and fails to grow despite correct watering.
Control: Unpot, strip old compost, rinse roots, soak in diluted neem, and repot in fresh gritty mix.
Keep gasteria rawlinsonii pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Gasteria Rawlinsonii pests — FAQ
What is eating my gasteria rawlinsonii?
Gasteria rawlinsonii is a shade-tolerant South African succulent grown as a houseplant. Mealybugs are its most likely pest, hiding along the strap-like leaves and at the stem base. Scale insects and root mealybugs can follow when conditions are warm and stagnant. Good air circulation and a dry crown prevent most problems.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on gasteria rawlinsonii?
Cottony white clusters in leaf axils or along the midrib; sticky honeydew; leaves yellowing. Swab individual bugs with isopropyl alcohol; follow with fortnightly neem oil sprays until the plant is clean.
How do I get rid of scale insects on gasteria rawlinsonii?
Brown waxy bumps adhering to leaves; dulled colouration; sooty mould on sticky exudate. Scrape off with a soft toothbrush and alcohol; treat with horticultural oil spray; repeat in two weeks.
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on gasteria rawlinsonii?
White cottony colonies on roots; plant wilts and fails to grow despite correct watering. Unpot, strip old compost, rinse roots, soak in diluted neem, and repot in fresh gritty mix.