Pest identification
What's eating my preston palm?
Spider mites
Signs: Stippled and bronzed leaflets; fine webbing; fronds may dry at the tips and margins in severe cases
Control: Raise humidity; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap focusing on frond undersides; repeat weekly for 3 weeks
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy or shell-like bumps on stems and petioles; honeydew build-up; slow decline in frond quality
Control: Apply horticultural oil; scrape off visible scales manually; treat with systemic insecticide in severe cases
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly masses at the crown and leaf axils; weakened new growth and distorted spear leaves
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray neem oil or spinosad solution over the crown and frond bases
Keep preston palm pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Preston Palm pests — FAQ
What is eating my preston palm?
Preston Palm (Dypsis prestoniana), a rare Madagascan tropical, is vulnerable to spider mites and scale insects common to Dypsis species in cultivation. In greenhouse or outdoor tropical settings, mealybugs may also appear in the crown. Early detection on new growth is key, as infestations escalate quickly on specimen palms.
How do I get rid of spider mites on preston palm?
Stippled and bronzed leaflets; fine webbing; fronds may dry at the tips and margins in severe cases Raise humidity; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap focusing on frond undersides; repeat weekly for 3 weeks
How do I get rid of scale insects on preston palm?
Waxy or shell-like bumps on stems and petioles; honeydew build-up; slow decline in frond quality Apply horticultural oil; scrape off visible scales manually; treat with systemic insecticide in severe cases
How do I get rid of mealybugs on preston palm?
White woolly masses at the crown and leaf axils; weakened new growth and distorted spear leaves Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray neem oil or spinosad solution over the crown and frond bases