What's eating my haworthia springbokvlakensis?

Haworthia springbokvlakensis is a rare collector's succulent grown almost exclusively indoors. Like other Haworthias, mealybugs are its primary pest threat, followed by root mealybugs in overly moist compost. Because plants are often small and valuable, catch infestations early — examine the base of the rosette with a magnifying glass monthly.

White woolly masses at leaf bases; honeydew; leaves turn pale and lose turgor. Treat each bug with an alcohol swab; spray the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7–10 days; isolate from other succulents during treatment.

Waxy white clusters on roots; unexplained wilting and leaf shrivelling. Unpot, clean roots, treat with a neem oil drench, and repot in sterile, dry, gritty medium.

Hard oval bumps on leaf surfaces; reduced growth; sticky residue on pot rim. Remove manually with an alcohol-dampened swab; apply horticultural oil; repeat after two weeks.