Pest identification
What's eating my string of fishhooks?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy residue along stems and leaf bases; plant loses vigour and leaves may drop
Control: Remove with isopropyl alcohol swabs; follow with neem oil spray and repeat weekly until no signs remain
Spider mites
Signs: Faint speckling on leaves and fine webbing between stems; damage worsens in dry heated air
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; move plant away from heat vents and increase humidity
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults hover around soil; larvae destroy fine roots, causing yellowing and stem collapse
Control: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; apply BTi drench and use sticky yellow traps
Keep string of fishhooks pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
String of Fishhooks pests — FAQ
What is eating my string of fishhooks?
String of Fishhooks (Curio radicans) is a succulent houseplant most troubled by mealybugs hiding along its curved stems. Spider mites attack in low-humidity heated rooms, and fungus gnats breed in overwatered soil. The hooked leaves make thorough spraying tricky, so hand-removal of pests with alcohol swabs is often most effective.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on string of fishhooks?
White waxy residue along stems and leaf bases; plant loses vigour and leaves may drop Remove with isopropyl alcohol swabs; follow with neem oil spray and repeat weekly until no signs remain
How do I get rid of spider mites on string of fishhooks?
Faint speckling on leaves and fine webbing between stems; damage worsens in dry heated air Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; move plant away from heat vents and increase humidity
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on string of fishhooks?
Adults hover around soil; larvae destroy fine roots, causing yellowing and stem collapse Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; apply BTi drench and use sticky yellow traps