Pest identification
What's eating my neli's tongue plant?
Mealybugs
Signs: Fluffy white wax in leaf axils; honeydew residue; affected leaves may shrivel or discolor.
Control: Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud; follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; repeat weekly until clear.
Root mealybugs
Signs: Plant fails to thrive despite proper care; waxy white coating on roots discovered at repotting.
Control: Bare-root the plant, remove all old compost, treat roots with neem drench or imidacloprid, and repot into dry, gritty succulent mix.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Tiny flies hovering around the soil; larvae chew fine roots, weakening the plant — especially damaging to shallow-rooted succulents.
Control: Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) or beneficial nematodes to kill larvae in the soil.
Keep neli's tongue plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Neli's Tongue Plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my neli's tongue plant?
Neli's Tongue Plant (Glottiphyllum nelii) is a compact mesemb succulent grown indoors. Like other Glottiphyllum, it is most vulnerable to mealybugs tucked between its fleshy leaves and root mealybugs below the soil surface. Overwatering invites fungus gnats as a secondary pest. Keep the mix well-drained and inspect regularly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on neli's tongue plant?
Fluffy white wax in leaf axils; honeydew residue; affected leaves may shrivel or discolor. Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud; follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; repeat weekly until clear.
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on neli's tongue plant?
Plant fails to thrive despite proper care; waxy white coating on roots discovered at repotting. Bare-root the plant, remove all old compost, treat roots with neem drench or imidacloprid, and repot into dry, gritty succulent mix.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on neli's tongue plant?
Tiny flies hovering around the soil; larvae chew fine roots, weakening the plant — especially damaging to shallow-rooted succulents. Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) or beneficial nematodes to kill larvae in the soil.