Pest identification
What's eating my blushing bromeliad?
Scale insects
Signs: Small waxy brown bumps on outer leaf undersides; honeydew and sooty mold visible
Control: Wipe off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply neem oil spray to leaf undersides; repeat fortnightly
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses in the central cup, leaf axils, and at the base; plant weakens
Control: Flush the cup with water; remove colonies with alcohol swab; apply diluted neem oil spray into the tank and axils
Fungus gnats
Signs: Tiny flying gnats around compost; larvae feed on roots in saturated, peaty potting mix
Control: Allow compost to dry between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench or predatory nematodes
Keep blushing bromeliad pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Blushing Bromeliad pests — FAQ
What is eating my blushing bromeliad?
Blushing Bromeliad (Neoregelia) is fairly pest-resistant but can be troubled by scale insects on leaf undersides, mealybugs in the cup and leaf axils, and fungus gnats in overly wet compost. Its central water-filled tank can also harbour mosquito larvae — flush and refill the cup with fresh water weekly.
How do I get rid of scale insects on blushing bromeliad?
Small waxy brown bumps on outer leaf undersides; honeydew and sooty mold visible Wipe off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply neem oil spray to leaf undersides; repeat fortnightly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on blushing bromeliad?
White cottony masses in the central cup, leaf axils, and at the base; plant weakens Flush the cup with water; remove colonies with alcohol swab; apply diluted neem oil spray into the tank and axils
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on blushing bromeliad?
Tiny flying gnats around compost; larvae feed on roots in saturated, peaty potting mix Allow compost to dry between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench or predatory nematodes