Pest identification
What's eating my graptosedum 'vera higgins'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters at leaf bases; sticky honeydew and yellowing foliage
Control: Dab with alcohol; spray whole plant with diluted neem oil; repeat weekly until clear
Root mealybugs
Signs: Unexplained wilting and colour loss; white powdery insects found on roots at repotting
Control: Unpot, rinse and treat roots with neem drench; repot into clean, gritty, fresh compost
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied insects clustered on succulent new shoot tips; sticky honeydew deposits
Control: Knock off with water spray; apply insecticidal soap; inspect new growth regularly in spring
Keep graptosedum 'vera higgins' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Graptosedum 'Vera Higgins' pests — FAQ
What is eating my graptosedum 'vera higgins'?
Graptosedum 'Vera Higgins' is a bronze-pink trailing succulent hybrid of Graptopetalum and Sedum. Mealybugs are the dominant pest threat, colonising the fleshy leaf axils. Root mealybugs can build up unnoticed below the soil line. Occasional aphid clusters appear on new growth in spring. Good air circulation deters most infestations.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on graptosedum 'vera higgins'?
White cottony clusters at leaf bases; sticky honeydew and yellowing foliage Dab with alcohol; spray whole plant with diluted neem oil; repeat weekly until clear
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on graptosedum 'vera higgins'?
Unexplained wilting and colour loss; white powdery insects found on roots at repotting Unpot, rinse and treat roots with neem drench; repot into clean, gritty, fresh compost
How do I get rid of aphids on graptosedum 'vera higgins'?
Soft-bodied insects clustered on succulent new shoot tips; sticky honeydew deposits Knock off with water spray; apply insecticidal soap; inspect new growth regularly in spring