Pest identification
What's eating my tongue leaf plant?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters at leaf bases and in crevices; leaves become sticky with honeydew and may yellow.
Control: Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate the plant and repeat weekly for a month.
Root mealybugs
Signs: Unexplained wilting and slow decline despite correct watering; white waxy residue visible on roots when repotting.
Control: Unpot the plant, wash all soil off roots under running water, treat with a systemic insecticide drench (imidacloprid) or soak roots in dilute neem solution before repotting in fresh, dry mix.
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan shell-like bumps on stems and leaf surfaces; sticky honeydew; sooty mold may follow.
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush, wipe with alcohol, then apply neem oil spray; repeat every 10–14 days.
Keep tongue leaf plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Tongue Leaf Plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my tongue leaf plant?
Tongue Leaf Plant (Glottiphyllum longum) is a South African succulent rarely troubled by pests indoors. The main threats are mealybugs hiding in leaf crevices and root mealybugs in the soil. Scale and spider mites are occasional visitors. Good airflow, infrequent watering, and prompt isolation of affected plants are the best defenses.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on tongue leaf plant?
White cottony clusters at leaf bases and in crevices; leaves become sticky with honeydew and may yellow. Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate the plant and repeat weekly for a month.
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on tongue leaf plant?
Unexplained wilting and slow decline despite correct watering; white waxy residue visible on roots when repotting. Unpot the plant, wash all soil off roots under running water, treat with a systemic insecticide drench (imidacloprid) or soak roots in dilute neem solution before repotting in fresh, dry mix.
How do I get rid of scale insects on tongue leaf plant?
Brown or tan shell-like bumps on stems and leaf surfaces; sticky honeydew; sooty mold may follow. Scrape off with a soft toothbrush, wipe with alcohol, then apply neem oil spray; repeat every 10–14 days.