Pest identification
What's eating my giant ixora?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or waxy bumps on stems; yellowing foliage and black sooty mold from accumulated honeydew.
Control: Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol to loosen scale, then apply horticultural oil weekly for 4–5 rounds.
Aphids
Signs: Soft insects clustered on tender new shoots; shoot tips curl and sticky residue attracts sooty mold.
Control: Knock off with water spray; follow with insecticidal soap or neem oil at 5–7 day intervals.
Mealybugs
Signs: Fluffy white wax deposits in leaf axils; weakens stems, causes leaf yellowing and drop.
Control: Hand-remove with alcohol swabs; apply neem oil drench weekly until the infestation clears.
Keep giant ixora pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Giant Ixora pests — FAQ
What is eating my giant ixora?
Giant Ixora faces the same pest suite as other Ixora species: scale, aphids, and mealybugs are the primary sap-sucking threats, with sooty mold following honeydew secretions. Scale is the most damaging. Control with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; remove scale manually with rubbing alcohol first for heavy infestations.
How do I get rid of scale insects on giant ixora?
Hard or waxy bumps on stems; yellowing foliage and black sooty mold from accumulated honeydew. Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol to loosen scale, then apply horticultural oil weekly for 4–5 rounds.
How do I get rid of aphids on giant ixora?
Soft insects clustered on tender new shoots; shoot tips curl and sticky residue attracts sooty mold. Knock off with water spray; follow with insecticidal soap or neem oil at 5–7 day intervals.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on giant ixora?
Fluffy white wax deposits in leaf axils; weakens stems, causes leaf yellowing and drop. Hand-remove with alcohol swabs; apply neem oil drench weekly until the infestation clears.