What's eating my mistletoe cactus?

Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera) is most commonly troubled by spider mites and mealybugs indoors. Its pendant, moisture-loving stems attract mites in dry air and mealybugs in leaf joints. Check stems regularly and act early — these pests spread quickly across the trailing growth before damage becomes obvious.

Fine webbing between stems, dull or stippled green segments, premature stem drop in severe infestations Raise humidity around the plant; wipe stems with a damp cloth, then spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days until clear

White cottony clusters at stem joints and nodes; sticky honeydew residue; weakened, yellowing stems Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow up with neem oil spray weekly for 3–4 weeks

Small brown or tan shell-like bumps on stems; yellowing and loss of vigour as sap is drained Scrape off scale with a soft toothbrush, treat with rubbing alcohol on a swab, then apply horticultural oil spray