Pest identification
What's eating my gold dust dracaena?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny yellow stipples on the spotted leaves; fine webbing on undersides in severe infestations
Control: Shower plant with water to dislodge colonies; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil weekly for 3 weeks; raise humidity
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown or tan waxy bumps along stems; honeydew makes leaves tacky and attracts sooty mold
Control: Scrape off with a soft brush; apply 70% isopropyl alcohol to residual scales; follow up with horticultural oil spray
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white masses at leaf axils and stem nodes; stunted or curled new growth
Control: Remove with alcohol swabs; spray thoroughly with neem oil paying attention to joints; repeat every 7 days
Keep gold dust dracaena pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Gold Dust Dracaena pests — FAQ
What is eating my gold dust dracaena?
Gold Dust Dracaena (Dracaena surculosa) is a shrubby, low-growing tropical most troubled by spider mites and scale in typical indoor conditions. Its small, spotted oval leaves make it easy to overlook early infestations. Mealybugs settle into the leaf axils. Check the undersides of foliage and branch joints at every watering.
How do I get rid of spider mites on gold dust dracaena?
Tiny yellow stipples on the spotted leaves; fine webbing on undersides in severe infestations Shower plant with water to dislodge colonies; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil weekly for 3 weeks; raise humidity
How do I get rid of scale insects on gold dust dracaena?
Small brown or tan waxy bumps along stems; honeydew makes leaves tacky and attracts sooty mold Scrape off with a soft brush; apply 70% isopropyl alcohol to residual scales; follow up with horticultural oil spray
How do I get rid of mealybugs on gold dust dracaena?
Cottony white masses at leaf axils and stem nodes; stunted or curled new growth Remove with alcohol swabs; spray thoroughly with neem oil paying attention to joints; repeat every 7 days