Pest identification
What's eating my wide eye plant?
Mealybugs
Signs: White wax in the leaf cleft; leaf body yellows, softens, or rots at the base
Control: Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a fine swab directly to the cleft; repeat weekly
Root mealybugs
Signs: Plant collapses or fails to firm up after watering; waxy deposits on tiny roots
Control: Unpot, clean and treat roots in insecticidal soap solution, allow to dry before repotting
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults hover around soil; larvae can injure the shallow root system of such small plants
Control: Top-dress with coarse grit, allow soil to dry thoroughly between waterings, use yellow sticky traps
Keep wide eye plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Wide Eye Plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my wide eye plant?
Wide Eye Plant (Ophthalmophyllum latum) is an indoor miniature mesemb closely related to living stones. Its greatest pest risk is mealybugs hidden in the central fissure and root mealybugs below the soil. The small size makes infestations rapidly fatal. Inspect monthly, water very sparingly, and use an almost pure mineral potting mix.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on wide eye plant?
White wax in the leaf cleft; leaf body yellows, softens, or rots at the base Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a fine swab directly to the cleft; repeat weekly
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on wide eye plant?
Plant collapses or fails to firm up after watering; waxy deposits on tiny roots Unpot, clean and treat roots in insecticidal soap solution, allow to dry before repotting
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on wide eye plant?
Adults hover around soil; larvae can injure the shallow root system of such small plants Top-dress with coarse grit, allow soil to dry thoroughly between waterings, use yellow sticky traps