Pest identification
What's eating my pachyphytum hookeri?
Mealybugs
Signs: Fluffy white deposits in leaf crevices; leaves yellow, shrivel, and drop if infestation is heavy
Control: Dab alcohol on colonies; follow with neem oil spray; quarantine plant and repeat weekly for a month
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing visible between leaves; stippled, dull leaf surfaces in hot dry rooms
Control: Wipe leaves with damp cloth; use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5 days
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae chew fine roots; adults swarm near soil surface and are attracted to light
Control: Reduce watering frequency; use sticky traps; apply BTi-based soil drench (e.g., Gnat Off, Mosquito Bits)
Keep pachyphytum hookeri pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pachyphytum hookeri pests — FAQ
What is eating my pachyphytum hookeri?
Pachyphytum hookeri is an indoor succulent mainly threatened by mealybugs, which hide readily in the rosette of its bluish, club-shaped leaves. Spider mites are a secondary pest in very dry indoor air. Fungus gnats appear when soil is kept too moist. Well-draining soil and careful inspection are key defenses.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on pachyphytum hookeri?
Fluffy white deposits in leaf crevices; leaves yellow, shrivel, and drop if infestation is heavy Dab alcohol on colonies; follow with neem oil spray; quarantine plant and repeat weekly for a month
How do I get rid of spider mites on pachyphytum hookeri?
Fine webbing visible between leaves; stippled, dull leaf surfaces in hot dry rooms Wipe leaves with damp cloth; use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5 days
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on pachyphytum hookeri?
Larvae chew fine roots; adults swarm near soil surface and are attracted to light Reduce watering frequency; use sticky traps; apply BTi-based soil drench (e.g., Gnat Off, Mosquito Bits)