Pest identification
What's eating my sansevieria hyacinthoides?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses at leaf bases and root crown; leaves pale and weaken
Control: Treat with alcohol swab or insecticidal soap; check roots for root mealybugs; use neem drench
Spider mites
Signs: Stippled, dull leaf surfaces with fine webbing; worse in heated, dry rooms
Control: Boost humidity, wipe foliage, spray with neem oil or miticide every 5–7 days
Scale insects
Signs: Flat or domed brown bumps on leaves and stems; sticky honeydew residue
Control: Remove manually with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil; repeat every 2 weeks
Keep sansevieria hyacinthoides pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Sansevieria Hyacinthoides pests — FAQ
What is eating my sansevieria hyacinthoides?
Sansevieria hyacinthoides (African Bowstring Hemp) is primarily an indoor plant but can be grown outdoors in warm climates, where slugs may damage leaves. Indoors, mealybugs are the chief pest, settling deep at leaf bases. Spider mites colonize in dry air. Scale and thrips are occasional visitors. Its thick leaves slow damage but do not prevent it.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on sansevieria hyacinthoides?
White cottony masses at leaf bases and root crown; leaves pale and weaken Treat with alcohol swab or insecticidal soap; check roots for root mealybugs; use neem drench
How do I get rid of spider mites on sansevieria hyacinthoides?
Stippled, dull leaf surfaces with fine webbing; worse in heated, dry rooms Boost humidity, wipe foliage, spray with neem oil or miticide every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of scale insects on sansevieria hyacinthoides?
Flat or domed brown bumps on leaves and stems; sticky honeydew residue Remove manually with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil; repeat every 2 weeks