Pest identification
What's eating my kalanchoe thyrsiflora?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white masses at the base of paddle-shaped leaves and along stem; yellowing and leaf drop
Control: Wipe off with alcohol-dampened cotton swab; spray neem oil solution on stems and leaf bases weekly
Aphids
Signs: Soft green or grey insects on flower stalks and new growth; sticky honeydew and distorted buds
Control: Knock off with a water spray; apply insecticidal soap solution once a week until clear
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps cemented to stems; leaves pale and honeydew makes soil and pot sticky
Control: Scrape off with a toothbrush; treat with neem or horticultural oil; inspect again after 2 weeks
Keep kalanchoe thyrsiflora pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora pests — FAQ
What is eating my kalanchoe thyrsiflora?
Paddle Plant attracts mealybugs most frequently, which hide along the thick leaf edges and stem base. Aphids may colonize the flower stalk when it emerges. Scale can fix to the waxy stems. Overwatered pots invite fungus gnats. The large flat leaves make inspection easy — check the leaf bases at every watering.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on kalanchoe thyrsiflora?
Cottony white masses at the base of paddle-shaped leaves and along stem; yellowing and leaf drop Wipe off with alcohol-dampened cotton swab; spray neem oil solution on stems and leaf bases weekly
How do I get rid of aphids on kalanchoe thyrsiflora?
Soft green or grey insects on flower stalks and new growth; sticky honeydew and distorted buds Knock off with a water spray; apply insecticidal soap solution once a week until clear
How do I get rid of scale insects on kalanchoe thyrsiflora?
Hard brown bumps cemented to stems; leaves pale and honeydew makes soil and pot sticky Scrape off with a toothbrush; treat with neem or horticultural oil; inspect again after 2 weeks