Pest identification
What's eating my tillandsia xerographica?
Scale insects
Signs: Tiny brown or tan bumps between the overlapping silvery leaves; affected leaves yellow and curl unusually tightly.
Control: Soak in water for 20–30 minutes to dislodge loose scales; brush remaining ones off with a soft toothbrush; treat with dilute neem oil soak monthly.
Mealybugs
Signs: White powdery tufts deep in the leaf base of the rosette, often only noticed when the plant is turned upside down.
Control: Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol directly to colonies with a cotton swab; ensure plant dries completely upside down after any water treatment.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on leaf surfaces and gossamer webbing inside the curled leaf tips; worst in dry heated rooms.
Control: Increase air humidity around the plant, soak more frequently, and apply a dilute neem oil solution; improve ventilation.
Keep tillandsia xerographica pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Tillandsia xerographica pests — FAQ
What is eating my tillandsia xerographica?
Tillandsia xerographica is a large, silvery air plant from arid Mexico and Central America. Its dense curling leaves can trap scale insects and mealybugs. Being epiphytic means no soil pests. Pests hide deep in the rosette, so thorough soaking and good post-soak drying in airflow are critical to both control and prevention.
How do I get rid of scale insects on tillandsia xerographica?
Tiny brown or tan bumps between the overlapping silvery leaves; affected leaves yellow and curl unusually tightly. Soak in water for 20–30 minutes to dislodge loose scales; brush remaining ones off with a soft toothbrush; treat with dilute neem oil soak monthly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on tillandsia xerographica?
White powdery tufts deep in the leaf base of the rosette, often only noticed when the plant is turned upside down. Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol directly to colonies with a cotton swab; ensure plant dries completely upside down after any water treatment.
How do I get rid of spider mites on tillandsia xerographica?
Fine pale stippling on leaf surfaces and gossamer webbing inside the curled leaf tips; worst in dry heated rooms. Increase air humidity around the plant, soak more frequently, and apply a dilute neem oil solution; improve ventilation.