Pest identification
What's eating my livistona rotundifolia?
Spider mites (Tetranychus species)
Signs: Fine webbing on leaf undersides; silvery or bronze stippling across frond surface; worst in low-humidity, heated rooms
Control: Increase humidity by misting or using a pebble tray; wash foliage with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to leaf undersides every 5–7 days
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown shell-like bumps on fronds and petioles that look like natural blemishes; weakens plant via sap extraction and causes sticky honeydew
Control: Scrape off manually with a soft toothbrush; treat with horticultural oil or neem oil; repeat applications fortnightly
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony fluff tucked into leaf sheaths and frond bases; honeydew promotes sooty mold and distorts new growth
Control: Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, repeating every 7–10 days until gone
Keep livistona rotundifolia pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Livistona Rotundifolia pests — FAQ
What is eating my livistona rotundifolia?
Livistona rotundifolia kept as a houseplant is relatively pest-resistant but susceptible to the classic trio of indoor palm pests: spider mites in dry air, scale insects on fronds and stems, and mealybugs in leaf crevices. Thrips and whitefly can also settle on the undersides of fronds in warm indoor conditions.
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus species) on livistona rotundifolia?
Fine webbing on leaf undersides; silvery or bronze stippling across frond surface; worst in low-humidity, heated rooms Increase humidity by misting or using a pebble tray; wash foliage with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to leaf undersides every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of scale insects on livistona rotundifolia?
Hard brown shell-like bumps on fronds and petioles that look like natural blemishes; weakens plant via sap extraction and causes sticky honeydew Scrape off manually with a soft toothbrush; treat with horticultural oil or neem oil; repeat applications fortnightly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on livistona rotundifolia?
White cottony fluff tucked into leaf sheaths and frond bases; honeydew promotes sooty mold and distorts new growth Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, repeating every 7–10 days until gone