Pest identification
What's eating my hoodia gordonii?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony deposits between spines and at stem bases; honeydew stickiness; distorted or halted growth on this inherently slow grower.
Control: Use isopropyl alcohol swabs to remove visible colonies. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 7–10 days for at least three cycles, reaching into spine bases.
Root mealybugs
Signs: Plant fails to grow during the growing season; roots coated in white waxy powder visible on inspection.
Control: Unpot, remove all soil, and rinse roots in clean water. Drench with a dilute neem or imidacloprid solution. Repot in very fast-draining gritty cactus mix.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling along stem surfaces; fine webbing at spine bases in hot, low-humidity indoor conditions.
Control: Wipe stems gently with a damp cloth. Spray neem oil or miticide solution weekly for three weeks. Improve airflow and reduce ambient heat around the plant.
Keep hoodia gordonii pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Hoodia gordonii pests — FAQ
What is eating my hoodia gordonii?
Hoodia gordonii is a slow-growing South African succulent kept as a collector's houseplant. Mealybugs are the most prevalent pest, hiding among its spined stems. Root mealybugs thrive in poorly draining substrate. Spider mites may appear in very dry indoor conditions. This plant's slow growth means any pest damage is particularly costly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on hoodia gordonii?
White cottony deposits between spines and at stem bases; honeydew stickiness; distorted or halted growth on this inherently slow grower. Use isopropyl alcohol swabs to remove visible colonies. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 7–10 days for at least three cycles, reaching into spine bases.
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on hoodia gordonii?
Plant fails to grow during the growing season; roots coated in white waxy powder visible on inspection. Unpot, remove all soil, and rinse roots in clean water. Drench with a dilute neem or imidacloprid solution. Repot in very fast-draining gritty cactus mix.
How do I get rid of spider mites on hoodia gordonii?
Pale stippling along stem surfaces; fine webbing at spine bases in hot, low-humidity indoor conditions. Wipe stems gently with a damp cloth. Spray neem oil or miticide solution weekly for three weeks. Improve airflow and reduce ambient heat around the plant.