Pest identification
What's eating my warty living stones?
Root mealybugs
Signs: Stunted growth, yellowing leaves; white waxy threads visible when plant is unpotted
Control: Unpot, shake off soil, rinse roots, drench with diluted neem oil or imidacloprid solution, repot in fresh dry mix
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony fluff lodged in the central fissure between leaf bodies
Control: Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; repeat weekly
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults visible near soil; larvae chew fine roots, causing wilting in waterlogged conditions
Control: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench to eliminate larvae
Keep warty living stones pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Warty Living Stones pests — FAQ
What is eating my warty living stones?
Warty Living Stones are slow-growing succulents rarely troubled by pests indoors. Their biggest threat is root mealybugs feeding on roots, followed by surface mealybugs hiding in the fissure between the two leaves. Overwatering accelerates pest damage severely. Inspect the growing medium and leaf crevice regularly.
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on warty living stones?
Stunted growth, yellowing leaves; white waxy threads visible when plant is unpotted Unpot, shake off soil, rinse roots, drench with diluted neem oil or imidacloprid solution, repot in fresh dry mix
How do I get rid of mealybugs on warty living stones?
White cottony fluff lodged in the central fissure between leaf bodies Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; repeat weekly
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on warty living stones?
Adults visible near soil; larvae chew fine roots, causing wilting in waterlogged conditions Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench to eliminate larvae