What's eating my ox tongue?

Ox Tongue (Gasteria bicolor var. liliputana) is a tough, shade-tolerant succulent that seldom suffers pest problems. Mealybugs are the primary threat, sheltering between the stacked tongue-shaped leaves. Scale and spider mites appear occasionally. Good airflow and avoiding excess moisture are the best defenses for this compact gasteria.

White cottony deposits between leaves and at the stem base; leaves may become sticky or yellowed. Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab directly to bugs; spray with diluted neem oil every 7–10 days for 3 weeks; check roots for root mealybugs if infestation persists.

Hard brown bumps adhered to the leaf surface or stem; localized yellowing around the attachment point. Scrape off with a toothbrush or fingernail and wipe area with alcohol; treat remaining plant with horticultural oil spray.

Pale, dusty stippling on leaf surfaces; fine webbing visible in dry conditions. Increase humidity around the plant, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply neem oil spray until mites are gone.