What's eating my hairy houseleek?

Hairy Houseleek (Sempervivum ciliosum) grown as a houseplant is most prone to mealybugs, which hide under the fine hairy cilia on its leaves and deep in its compact rosettes. The hairy leaf texture also traps moisture and can promote fungal issues if misted. Overwatered plants attract fungus gnats. Mealybugs are consistently the biggest indoor pest threat.

Cottony wax hidden beneath leaf cilia and inside rosette centres; stunted growth and eventual rosette die-back. Carefully part the leaves and treat each pocket with isopropyl alcohol on a fine swab; avoid wetting the hairy leaves — use targeted neem oil drench at the base.

Unexplained wilting despite correct watering; white woolly deposits found on roots when plant is removed from pot. Unpot and inspect; wash roots, let dry for 24 hours, treat with neem and repot in fresh gritty mix.

Root tip damage from larvae in damp soil; adult gnats congregate around the pot. Never allow the pot to sit in water; top-dress with coarse grit to discourage egg-laying; drench with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis.