What's eating my spiral aloe?

Spiral Aloe is rarely troubled indoors, but mealybugs and scale insects are the most likely pests, hiding in the tight spiral leaf axils where they are hard to spot. Spider mites can appear in very dry indoor air. Inspect the rosette centre regularly and treat promptly with rubbing alcohol or neem oil.

White cottony fluff in leaf axils and at the base of the rosette; sticky honeydew residue on leaves. Dab individual clusters with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow up with diluted neem oil spray weekly for a month.

Hard or soft brown bumps attached to leaf surfaces and stems; leaves may yellow and weaken. Scrape off visible scale with a soft toothbrush, then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 10 days.

Fine webbing between leaves and a dusty, stippled appearance on leaf surfaces, especially in hot, dry indoor conditions. Increase humidity around the plant, rinse leaves with water, and apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil.