Pest identification
What's eating my marbled living stones?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters between or at the base of leaf lobes; plant loses firmness and colour
Control: Carefully apply rubbing alcohol with a fine swab; follow with neem oil at the base; repeat bi-weekly
Root mealybugs
Signs: Chronic wrinkling unresolved by watering; white powdery residue on roots during repotting
Control: Remove plant, wash and soak roots in diluted imidacloprid, repot in fresh mineral substrate
Fungus gnats
Signs: Flying adults around pot; larvae damage feeder roots, visible when mix is too moist
Control: Improve drainage; use grit top-dressing; deploy Bti soil drench and yellow sticky traps
Keep marbled living stones pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Marbled Living Stones pests — FAQ
What is eating my marbled living stones?
Marbled Living Stones (Lithops marmorata) shares the typical Lithops pest profile. Mealybugs are most likely to be encountered, hiding in the central fissure between leaf pairs. Root mealybugs attack below soil level without obvious signs above. Fungus gnats are a minor risk in overly moist conditions. Vigilance at watering time is the best early-detection method.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on marbled living stones?
White cottony clusters between or at the base of leaf lobes; plant loses firmness and colour Carefully apply rubbing alcohol with a fine swab; follow with neem oil at the base; repeat bi-weekly
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on marbled living stones?
Chronic wrinkling unresolved by watering; white powdery residue on roots during repotting Remove plant, wash and soak roots in diluted imidacloprid, repot in fresh mineral substrate
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on marbled living stones?
Flying adults around pot; larvae damage feeder roots, visible when mix is too moist Improve drainage; use grit top-dressing; deploy Bti soil drench and yellow sticky traps