Pest identification
What's eating my spanish houseleek?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy wax in rosette leaf axils; leaves may shrivel and the rosette centre can rot under severe infestations.
Control: Apply isopropyl alcohol precisely with a fine swab; spray with neem oil solution; ensure good airflow around the plant.
Root Mealybugs
Signs: Wilting, poor colour, and failure to offset despite apparent good care; roots coated in white wax when inspected.
Control: Remove from pot; wash and dry roots; soak briefly in diluted neem oil; repot in fresh porous compost.
Spider Mites
Signs: Pale speckling on leaf surfaces; fine webbing between leaves in warm, dry indoor conditions.
Control: Raise humidity slightly; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; repeat every 7 days for three to four treatments.
Keep spanish houseleek pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Spanish Houseleek pests — FAQ
What is eating my spanish houseleek?
Spanish Houseleek (Sempervivum nevadense) kept indoors is vulnerable to mealybugs sheltering inside its dense compact rosettes, which are characteristic of high-altitude Sempervivum. Root mealybugs are a secondary but serious concern. Excessive soil moisture invites fungus gnats. Spider mites can establish in very dry heated rooms. Mealybugs remain the number-one indoor pest.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on spanish houseleek?
White fluffy wax in rosette leaf axils; leaves may shrivel and the rosette centre can rot under severe infestations. Apply isopropyl alcohol precisely with a fine swab; spray with neem oil solution; ensure good airflow around the plant.
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on spanish houseleek?
Wilting, poor colour, and failure to offset despite apparent good care; roots coated in white wax when inspected. Remove from pot; wash and dry roots; soak briefly in diluted neem oil; repot in fresh porous compost.
How do I get rid of spider mites on spanish houseleek?
Pale speckling on leaf surfaces; fine webbing between leaves in warm, dry indoor conditions. Raise humidity slightly; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; repeat every 7 days for three to four treatments.