Pest identification
What's eating my mountain aloe?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy deposits at leaf axils and stem bases; honeydew may cause sooty mould.
Control: Remove colonies with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; spray entire plant with diluted neem oil weekly until clear.
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy brown or grey bumps on stems and leaf surfaces causing localised yellowing and slow growth.
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 10–14 days for at least a month.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on leaf surfaces and faint stippling or silvering, especially in warm, dry indoor air.
Control: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth and treat with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; raise ambient humidity slightly.
Keep mountain aloe pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Mountain Aloe pests — FAQ
What is eating my mountain aloe?
Mountain Aloe (Aloe marlothii) is a large, robust species that is mostly pest-resistant indoors. Mealybugs and scale are the primary threats, particularly on young offsets and stem bases. Spider mites may appear in very dry rooms. Its spiny leaves make inspection tricky — use a magnifying glass when checking near leaf bases.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on mountain aloe?
White fluffy deposits at leaf axils and stem bases; honeydew may cause sooty mould. Remove colonies with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; spray entire plant with diluted neem oil weekly until clear.
How do I get rid of scale insects on mountain aloe?
Waxy brown or grey bumps on stems and leaf surfaces causing localised yellowing and slow growth. Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 10–14 days for at least a month.
How do I get rid of spider mites on mountain aloe?
Fine webbing on leaf surfaces and faint stippling or silvering, especially in warm, dry indoor air. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth and treat with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; raise ambient humidity slightly.