Pest identification
What's eating my short-leaved aloe?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony residue tucked into leaf bases and rosette centres; plants may look dull or sticky.
Control: Treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, then follow up with neem oil spray applied weekly for several weeks.
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan bumps on stems and leaf undersides; weakens the plant over time.
Control: Scrub off with a soft brush, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap, and repeat every 10 days until absent.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae damage shallow roots in waterlogged soil; adult flies are a nuisance near windowsills.
Control: Water only when soil is fully dry; use sticky yellow traps for adults and a soil drench of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) for larvae.
Keep short-leaved aloe pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Short-Leaved Aloe pests — FAQ
What is eating my short-leaved aloe?
Short-Leaved Aloe (Aloe brevifolia) is a tough, low-growing succulent with few pest problems indoors. Mealybugs can nestle in the dense leaf rosettes, and scale insects occasionally appear on stems. Overwatering is a bigger risk than pests — it encourages root rot and fungus gnats. Keep conditions dry and well-ventilated.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on short-leaved aloe?
White cottony residue tucked into leaf bases and rosette centres; plants may look dull or sticky. Treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, then follow up with neem oil spray applied weekly for several weeks.
How do I get rid of scale insects on short-leaved aloe?
Brown or tan bumps on stems and leaf undersides; weakens the plant over time. Scrub off with a soft brush, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap, and repeat every 10 days until absent.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on short-leaved aloe?
Larvae damage shallow roots in waterlogged soil; adult flies are a nuisance near windowsills. Water only when soil is fully dry; use sticky yellow traps for adults and a soil drench of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) for larvae.