Pest identification
What's eating my kalanchoe pumila?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits camouflaged by the plant's own powdery coating; stems weaken and leaves shrivel
Control: Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol on a fine-tipped cotton swab; spray neem oil solution weekly until clear
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling on small leaves; fine webs around stem tips in very dry indoor conditions
Control: Increase humidity; rinse foliage gently; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days
Aphids
Signs: Soft insects on flower buds and new shoot tips; honeydew leads to sooty mold on lower foliage
Control: Remove by hand or with a water spray; apply insecticidal soap weekly until absent
Keep kalanchoe pumila pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Kalanchoe Pumila pests — FAQ
What is eating my kalanchoe pumila?
Flower Dust Plant's powdery white coating helps deter some insects but does not stop mealybugs, which hide in the leaf axils and along the delicate stems. Spider mites can colonize in dry air. Aphids occasionally target the small lilac flowers. Check the stem nodes at every watering, as the white wax makes colonies easy to miss.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on kalanchoe pumila?
Cottony white deposits camouflaged by the plant's own powdery coating; stems weaken and leaves shrivel Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol on a fine-tipped cotton swab; spray neem oil solution weekly until clear
How do I get rid of spider mites on kalanchoe pumila?
Pale stippling on small leaves; fine webs around stem tips in very dry indoor conditions Increase humidity; rinse foliage gently; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of aphids on kalanchoe pumila?
Soft insects on flower buds and new shoot tips; honeydew leads to sooty mold on lower foliage Remove by hand or with a water spray; apply insecticidal soap weekly until absent