Pest identification
What's eating my pineapple bromeliad?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny moving dots and fine webbing on leaf undersides; silvery bronzing of foliage in dry air
Control: Raise humidity; rinse foliage; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray at weekly intervals for 3–4 weeks
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or grey waxy bumps along stems and leaf bases; honeydew and sooty mold develop
Control: Scrape with a toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with neem oil solution and repeat weekly
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy fluff at stem nodes and leaf axils; slowed growth and yellowing
Control: Dab with alcohol-soaked swab; treat plant with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days
Keep pineapple bromeliad pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pineapple Bromeliad pests — FAQ
What is eating my pineapple bromeliad?
Pineapple Bromeliad (Acanthostachys strobilacea) has wiry, spine-edged leaves and is grown indoors or in bright greenhouses. Its open, airy rosette makes it slightly less hospitable to mealybugs than denser bromeliads, but spider mites thrive in dry indoor conditions. Scale can also settle on stems. Consistent humidity is the best deterrent.
How do I get rid of spider mites on pineapple bromeliad?
Tiny moving dots and fine webbing on leaf undersides; silvery bronzing of foliage in dry air Raise humidity; rinse foliage; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray at weekly intervals for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of scale insects on pineapple bromeliad?
Brown or grey waxy bumps along stems and leaf bases; honeydew and sooty mold develop Scrape with a toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with neem oil solution and repeat weekly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on pineapple bromeliad?
White waxy fluff at stem nodes and leaf axils; slowed growth and yellowing Dab with alcohol-soaked swab; treat plant with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days