Pest identification
What's eating my string of teardrops?
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly deposits at nodes and stem bases; leaves yellow and drop
Control: Swab infested areas with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray weekly; quarantine affected plants
Spider mites
Signs: Stippled, dull-looking leaves; fine silk webbing visible in dry conditions
Control: Mist foliage to raise humidity; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; repeat every 5–7 days for three cycles
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or waxy bumps on stems; sticky honeydew and blackened sooty mould develop
Control: Scrape off manually; wipe stems with alcohol; follow up with neem oil every 10–14 days
Keep string of teardrops pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
String of Teardrops pests — FAQ
What is eating my string of teardrops?
String of Teardrops faces the same indoor pest pressures as other trailing Senecio succulents. Mealybugs are the primary threat, congregating at stem nodes. Spider mites attack in low humidity and scale insects can encrust older stems. Keep the plant in good air circulation and inspect nodes every few weeks.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on string of teardrops?
White woolly deposits at nodes and stem bases; leaves yellow and drop Swab infested areas with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray weekly; quarantine affected plants
How do I get rid of spider mites on string of teardrops?
Stippled, dull-looking leaves; fine silk webbing visible in dry conditions Mist foliage to raise humidity; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; repeat every 5–7 days for three cycles
How do I get rid of scale insects on string of teardrops?
Hard or waxy bumps on stems; sticky honeydew and blackened sooty mould develop Scrape off manually; wipe stems with alcohol; follow up with neem oil every 10–14 days