Growli

Pest identification

What's eating my slender-lined living stones?

Mealybugs

Signs: Cottony white tufts visible at the leaf junction or stem base; shrivelled, pale appearance despite appropriate watering

Control: Remove with an alcohol-tipped swab; apply neem oil solution to the base; isolate from other succulents

Root mealybugs

Signs: Plant does not plump after watering; waxy white colonies on roots revealed when repotting

Control: Rinse roots thoroughly; soak in diluted imidacloprid or neem; allow to dry before repotting in fresh grit mix

Keep slender-lined living stones pest-free

Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:

Slender-lined Living Stones pests — FAQ

What is eating my slender-lined living stones?

Slender-lined Living Stones (Lithops gracilidelineata) is rarely troubled by pests when grown correctly in bright, dry conditions. Mealybugs remain the main risk, hiding between the leaf lobes, while root mealybugs silently damage the root system. Overwatering is the bigger killer than any pest, and a correctly watered plant resists most infestations naturally.

How do I get rid of mealybugs on slender-lined living stones?

Cottony white tufts visible at the leaf junction or stem base; shrivelled, pale appearance despite appropriate watering Remove with an alcohol-tipped swab; apply neem oil solution to the base; isolate from other succulents

How do I get rid of root mealybugs on slender-lined living stones?

Plant does not plump after watering; waxy white colonies on roots revealed when repotting Rinse roots thoroughly; soak in diluted imidacloprid or neem; allow to dry before repotting in fresh grit mix