Pest identification
What's eating my spear head?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluff at leaf bases and stem joints; leaves shrivel and growth stalls
Control: Remove with alcohol-soaked swab; spray with neem oil; isolate plant and check surrounding plants immediately
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown bumps on stems; weakened stems and yellow discolouration above infestation point
Control: Scrape off with a soft brush; wipe stems with alcohol-soaked cloth; follow with neem oil spray every 10 days
Fungus gnats
Signs: Small flies hovering over soil; root damage causes wilting and slow growth in young plants
Control: Allow compost to dry between waterings; use sticky yellow traps; apply Bti-based biological drench to eliminate larvae
Keep spear head pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Spear Head pests — FAQ
What is eating my spear head?
Spear Head succulent is relatively pest-resistant but mealybugs remain the primary indoor threat, hiding at the base of the arrow-shaped leaves. Scale can encrust older stems, and fungus gnats will infest the soil if it stays too wet. Its unusual leaf shape can help you spot white mealy deposits more easily than on woolly species.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on spear head?
White fluff at leaf bases and stem joints; leaves shrivel and growth stalls Remove with alcohol-soaked swab; spray with neem oil; isolate plant and check surrounding plants immediately
How do I get rid of scale insects on spear head?
Hard brown bumps on stems; weakened stems and yellow discolouration above infestation point Scrape off with a soft brush; wipe stems with alcohol-soaked cloth; follow with neem oil spray every 10 days
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on spear head?
Small flies hovering over soil; root damage causes wilting and slow growth in young plants Allow compost to dry between waterings; use sticky yellow traps; apply Bti-based biological drench to eliminate larvae