Pest identification
What's eating my kalanchoe 'kerinci'?
Mealybugs
Signs: Fluffy white wax clusters at leaf bases and stem joints; plants weaken and leaves yellow
Control: Remove with isopropyl alcohol swabs; spray plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks and isolate the plant
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of soft-bodied insects on new shoots and buds; sticky honeydew and curled new growth
Control: Blast off with a gentle water spray; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat as needed until clear
Scale insects
Signs: Flat or domed brown bumps on stems; honeydew drips; slow decline in plant vigour
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; treat with neem oil or systemic insecticide for heavy infestations
Keep kalanchoe 'kerinci' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Kalanchoe 'Kerinci' pests — FAQ
What is eating my kalanchoe 'kerinci'?
Kalanchoe 'Kerinci' is a succulent-leaved indoor flowering plant. Mealybugs are the worst threat, hiding in rosette centres and along stems. Aphids attack soft new growth and flower buds. Scale insects can colonise stems unnoticed. Good air circulation and avoiding waterlogging minimise most pest problems with this easy-care cultivar.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on kalanchoe 'kerinci'?
Fluffy white wax clusters at leaf bases and stem joints; plants weaken and leaves yellow Remove with isopropyl alcohol swabs; spray plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks and isolate the plant
How do I get rid of aphids on kalanchoe 'kerinci'?
Clusters of soft-bodied insects on new shoots and buds; sticky honeydew and curled new growth Blast off with a gentle water spray; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat as needed until clear
How do I get rid of scale insects on kalanchoe 'kerinci'?
Flat or domed brown bumps on stems; honeydew drips; slow decline in plant vigour Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; treat with neem oil or systemic insecticide for heavy infestations