Pest identification
What's eating my olive living stones?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy wax in the central fissure or around stem; leaves lose turgor and colour despite adequate light
Control: Treat with alcohol swab or cotton bud at the first sign; follow with diluted neem oil; repeat every two weeks
Root mealybugs
Signs: Plant fails to plump during watering season; root system shows white powdery coating when unpotted
Control: Unpot, wash, and soak roots in neem or imidacloprid solution; repot in fresh, sterile gritty compost
Keep olive living stones pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Olive Living Stones pests — FAQ
What is eating my olive living stones?
Olive Living Stones (Lithops olivacea) is a sun-loving desert succulent rarely bothered by pests in a correctly managed dry environment. When problems arise, mealybugs are the most common culprit, sheltering between the distinctive olive-toned leaf lobes. Root mealybugs can go unnoticed for long periods. Fungus gnats signal overwatering more than a true pest problem.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on olive living stones?
White fluffy wax in the central fissure or around stem; leaves lose turgor and colour despite adequate light Treat with alcohol swab or cotton bud at the first sign; follow with diluted neem oil; repeat every two weeks
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on olive living stones?
Plant fails to plump during watering season; root system shows white powdery coating when unpotted Unpot, wash, and soak roots in neem or imidacloprid solution; repot in fresh, sterile gritty compost