Pest identification
What's eating my tillandsia bulbosa?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard bumps on the twisted leaves or near the swollen base; stunted growth and dull, lifeless colouring.
Control: Soak in water for 20 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft toothbrush; treat with dilute neem oil soak if scales persist.
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy deposits inside the hollow base or between tightly curled leaf tips; sticky residue on adjacent leaves.
Control: Dab directly with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; allow the plant to dry fully upside down to prevent rot in the hollow base.
Keep tillandsia bulbosa pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Tillandsia bulbosa pests — FAQ
What is eating my tillandsia bulbosa?
Tillandsia bulbosa has a hollow, bulbous base that ants sometimes colonise in outdoor displays, though it is grown almost exclusively indoors. As an air plant, its main pests are scale insects and mealybugs hiding in the curling tentacle-like leaves and at the base. Good airflow and regular misting deter most infestations.
How do I get rid of scale insects on tillandsia bulbosa?
Hard bumps on the twisted leaves or near the swollen base; stunted growth and dull, lifeless colouring. Soak in water for 20 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft toothbrush; treat with dilute neem oil soak if scales persist.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on tillandsia bulbosa?
White waxy deposits inside the hollow base or between tightly curled leaf tips; sticky residue on adjacent leaves. Dab directly with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; allow the plant to dry fully upside down to prevent rot in the hollow base.