Pest identification
What's eating my jade plant?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy tufts in branch forks and leaf joints; leaves shrivel, yellow, and drop prematurely.
Control: Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray neem oil solution over the whole plant and repeat at 7–10 day intervals.
Scale insects
Signs: Brown shell-like bumps on stems; persistent honeydew leads to sooty mould on leaves.
Control: Scrape off physically, apply horticultural oil spray, and inspect again after two weeks.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine silvery stippling on leaf surfaces; rare but possible in extremely dry indoor air.
Control: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth and apply insecticidal soap spray; repeat twice at weekly intervals.
Keep jade plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Jade plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my jade plant?
Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are most threatened indoors by mealybugs, which cluster in stem forks and leaf axils. Scale and spider mites can appear when conditions are very dry. Overwatering invites fungus gnats. The thick, succulent leaves store reserves that help the plant tolerate light infestations, but mealybugs can kill a badly affected plant.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on jade plant?
White waxy tufts in branch forks and leaf joints; leaves shrivel, yellow, and drop prematurely. Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray neem oil solution over the whole plant and repeat at 7–10 day intervals.
How do I get rid of scale insects on jade plant?
Brown shell-like bumps on stems; persistent honeydew leads to sooty mould on leaves. Scrape off physically, apply horticultural oil spray, and inspect again after two weeks.
How do I get rid of spider mites on jade plant?
Fine silvery stippling on leaf surfaces; rare but possible in extremely dry indoor air. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth and apply insecticidal soap spray; repeat twice at weekly intervals.