Pest identification
What's eating my long-leaved pachyphytum?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony fluff at leaf bases and in rosette centre; leaf tips die and overall growth stalls
Control: Apply isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to each colony; follow with neem oil spray; repeat every 7 days for a month
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan waxy bumps on stems and leaf undersides; yellowing and sticky residue
Control: Scrape off manually; treat with alcohol wipe then neem oil spray; monitor for re-emergence every fortnight
Vine weevil
Signs: Wilting despite adequate watering; inspection reveals root damage from C-shaped white grubs
Control: Tip plant out of pot; remove grubs; repot in fresh compost; apply nematode drench in late summer
Keep long-leaved pachyphytum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Long-Leaved Pachyphytum pests — FAQ
What is eating my long-leaved pachyphytum?
Long-Leaved Pachyphytum is susceptible to mealybugs, which are the most frequent pest on this slow-growing succulent rosette. Scale insects can establish on stems, and root-damaging vine weevil grubs are a risk for pot-grown plants. The delicate powdery coating on leaves can obscure early infestations, so tip the pot and check stem bases regularly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on long-leaved pachyphytum?
White cottony fluff at leaf bases and in rosette centre; leaf tips die and overall growth stalls Apply isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to each colony; follow with neem oil spray; repeat every 7 days for a month
How do I get rid of scale insects on long-leaved pachyphytum?
Brown or tan waxy bumps on stems and leaf undersides; yellowing and sticky residue Scrape off manually; treat with alcohol wipe then neem oil spray; monitor for re-emergence every fortnight
How do I get rid of vine weevil on long-leaved pachyphytum?
Wilting despite adequate watering; inspection reveals root damage from C-shaped white grubs Tip plant out of pot; remove grubs; repot in fresh compost; apply nematode drench in late summer