Pest identification
What's eating my neoregelia 'charm'?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard, waxy bumps along leaf veins and bases; honeydew makes leaves tacky and promotes sooty mould
Control: Manually remove with a cotton swab or soft brush dipped in rubbing alcohol; follow with horticultural oil spray
Mealybugs
Signs: White powdery or waxy clusters deep in the rosette; leaves yellow and plant growth stalls
Control: Dab directly with isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole rosette with neem oil solution and repeat every 10 days
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and slight silvering on leaf surfaces, worsening in heated, dry indoor environments
Control: Increase room humidity and mist leaves; apply insecticidal soap spray, covering undersides, weekly
Keep neoregelia 'charm' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Neoregelia 'Charm' pests — FAQ
What is eating my neoregelia 'charm'?
Neoregelia 'Charm' is a compact, colourful tank bromeliad susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs, which exploit the sheltered space between its overlapping leaves. Spider mites can flare in low humidity. Flush the central tank weekly and inspect the undersides of the rosette leaves regularly for early signs of infestation.
How do I get rid of scale insects on neoregelia 'charm'?
Hard, waxy bumps along leaf veins and bases; honeydew makes leaves tacky and promotes sooty mould Manually remove with a cotton swab or soft brush dipped in rubbing alcohol; follow with horticultural oil spray
How do I get rid of mealybugs on neoregelia 'charm'?
White powdery or waxy clusters deep in the rosette; leaves yellow and plant growth stalls Dab directly with isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole rosette with neem oil solution and repeat every 10 days
How do I get rid of spider mites on neoregelia 'charm'?
Pale stippling and slight silvering on leaf surfaces, worsening in heated, dry indoor environments Increase room humidity and mist leaves; apply insecticidal soap spray, covering undersides, weekly