Pest identification
What's eating my jordaaniella cuprea?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits at leaf joints and stem bases; sticky honeydew may lead to sooty mould; affected shoots wilt
Control: Dab colonies with alcohol on a cotton bud; spray whole plant with diluted neem oil; repeat every 7–10 days for 3 cycles
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on small succulent leaves; barely visible webbing between stems in dry heated air
Control: Increase humidity slightly; spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem oil; move away from heat sources
Root mealybugs
Signs: Progressive wilting and failure to plump up after watering despite correct care; white wax on roots when unpotted
Control: Bare-root, rinse off all soil, treat roots with imidacloprid drench, dry before repotting in fresh gritty compost
Keep jordaaniella cuprea pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Jordaaniella cuprea pests — FAQ
What is eating my jordaaniella cuprea?
Jordaaniella cuprea, a spreading South African mesemb with copper-toned daisy flowers, is most commonly troubled by mealybugs in cultivation. Spider mites emerge in warm, dry indoor rooms. Root mealybugs can colonise undetected. Its trailing habit and dense leaf coverage make it worthwhile to inspect the soil surface and stem bases monthly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on jordaaniella cuprea?
Cottony white deposits at leaf joints and stem bases; sticky honeydew may lead to sooty mould; affected shoots wilt Dab colonies with alcohol on a cotton bud; spray whole plant with diluted neem oil; repeat every 7–10 days for 3 cycles
How do I get rid of spider mites on jordaaniella cuprea?
Fine pale stippling on small succulent leaves; barely visible webbing between stems in dry heated air Increase humidity slightly; spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem oil; move away from heat sources
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on jordaaniella cuprea?
Progressive wilting and failure to plump up after watering despite correct care; white wax on roots when unpotted Bare-root, rinse off all soil, treat roots with imidacloprid drench, dry before repotting in fresh gritty compost