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Abal Palm · Acoelorraphe wrightii

How do I get rid of pests on my Paurotis palm?

Scale insects are the most common pests for this palm, appearing as small bumps on the stems or undersides of leaves. Inspect your plant closely to catch them early.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the fronds for bumps.
  2. Look for sticky residue on the leaves or floor.
  3. Check for fine webbing near the leaf bases.

Likely causes

  1. Scale Insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see small, brown, waxy bumps that can be scraped off with a fingernail.

    What to do: Dab each insect with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, spray the entire plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days.

  2. Spider Mites

    Possible

    How to tell: Fine webbing appears between the leaflets and the leaves look dusty or speckled.

    What to do: Wash the leaves thoroughly with a strong stream of water. Follow up with an application of horticultural oil to kill any remaining eggs.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your abal palm

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

If the infestation covers the entire plant and the leaves are yellowing, it is a serious problem. A few isolated insects are easy to manage with quick intervention.

Stopping it coming back

Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth every few weeks to remove dust and discourage pests. Keep the plant healthy with proper light and water.

Abal Palm: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your abal palm and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Can I use dish soap to kill them?
A very mild solution of water and a drop of dish soap can work, but insecticidal soap is safer for the plant. Avoid using harsh detergents.
Will these pests spread to my other plants?
Yes, scale and mites travel easily between plants. Isolate your palm until you are sure the pests are gone.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Abal Palm

Back to the Abal Palm guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.