Pest identification
What's eating my yellow cone plant?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy fluff around the base or inside the papery sheath; plant looks desiccated despite watering
Control: Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a fine brush or cotton swab directly to bugs; repeat every 7–10 days
Root mealybugs
Signs: Root system coated in white powder or waxy threads; plant collapses in what appears to be drought stress
Control: Unpot, clean roots, soak briefly in insecticidal soap solution, allow to dry before repotting in fresh mineral mix
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae sever fine feeder roots in moist soil; tiny flies hover around the pot
Control: Water only during the correct autumn growing window; top-dress with gravel; use sticky traps and Bti drench
Keep yellow cone plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Yellow Cone Plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my yellow cone plant?
Yellow Cone Plant is a pea-sized South African succulent mainly threatened by mealybugs — both surface and root-dwelling forms — and by fungus gnats when soil stays damp. Its tiny size makes infestations hard to spot early. Check the papery sheath around the base and unpot annually to inspect roots.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on yellow cone plant?
White waxy fluff around the base or inside the papery sheath; plant looks desiccated despite watering Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a fine brush or cotton swab directly to bugs; repeat every 7–10 days
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on yellow cone plant?
Root system coated in white powder or waxy threads; plant collapses in what appears to be drought stress Unpot, clean roots, soak briefly in insecticidal soap solution, allow to dry before repotting in fresh mineral mix
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on yellow cone plant?
Larvae sever fine feeder roots in moist soil; tiny flies hover around the pot Water only during the correct autumn growing window; top-dress with gravel; use sticky traps and Bti drench