Pest identification
What's eating my weeping fig?
Scale insects (soft & armoured)
Signs: Brown or tan waxy bumps on stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew leads to sooty mould on leaves.
Control: Scrape off manually; apply isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; treat with neem oil or horticultural oil sprays; repeat every 7–10 days.
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Fine pale stippling on leaves; fine webbing on undersides; severe infestations cause yellowing and leaf drop.
Control: Raise humidity; wipe leaves with a damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; isolate the plant.
Mealybugs (Planococcus citri)
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along stems; leaves yellow and drop.
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly until clear.
Keep weeping fig pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Weeping fig pests — FAQ
What is eating my weeping fig?
Weeping fig is a magnet for common indoor sap-suckers — scale insects are the most persistent threat, coating stems with waxy bumps and producing sticky honeydew. Spider mites and mealybugs also colonise stressed plants. Keeping humidity up, avoiding draughts, and quarantining new plants are the most effective preventive defences.
How do I get rid of scale insects (soft & armoured) on weeping fig?
Brown or tan waxy bumps on stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew leads to sooty mould on leaves. Scrape off manually; apply isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; treat with neem oil or horticultural oil sprays; repeat every 7–10 days.
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus urticae) on weeping fig?
Fine pale stippling on leaves; fine webbing on undersides; severe infestations cause yellowing and leaf drop. Raise humidity; wipe leaves with a damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; isolate the plant.
How do I get rid of mealybugs (planococcus citri) on weeping fig?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along stems; leaves yellow and drop. Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly until clear.