Pest identification
What's eating my aeonium 'sunburst'?
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied insects clustered in the rosette center; sticky honeydew on leaves; ants farming the colony.
Control: Spray with water jet; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; remove heavily infested leaves and dispose of them.
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy deposits along stems and in leaf axils; reduced vigor and distorted new growth.
Control: Treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs and follow with neem oil spray weekly for 3 weeks; isolate the plant.
Vine weevil
Signs: Root and stem base destruction by white grubs (UK containers); adult notching on leaf margins at night.
Control: Use biological nematodes on moist compost in late summer; inspect roots when repotting; apply vine weevil killer drench if adults are found.
Keep aeonium 'sunburst' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Aeonium 'Sunburst' pests — FAQ
What is eating my aeonium 'sunburst'?
Aeonium 'Sunburst' attracts aphids to its bright, open rosettes when grown outdoors or in a warm conservatory. Mealybugs nest at the stem base. Vine weevil grubs are a real risk in UK containers. Indoors, spider mites can appear in dry conditions. The open, flat rosette makes inspection easy — check the center and stem monthly.
How do I get rid of aphids on aeonium 'sunburst'?
Soft-bodied insects clustered in the rosette center; sticky honeydew on leaves; ants farming the colony. Spray with water jet; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; remove heavily infested leaves and dispose of them.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on aeonium 'sunburst'?
White waxy deposits along stems and in leaf axils; reduced vigor and distorted new growth. Treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs and follow with neem oil spray weekly for 3 weeks; isolate the plant.
How do I get rid of vine weevil on aeonium 'sunburst'?
Root and stem base destruction by white grubs (UK containers); adult notching on leaf margins at night. Use biological nematodes on moist compost in late summer; inspect roots when repotting; apply vine weevil killer drench if adults are found.