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Natal Plum · Carissa macrocarpa

Why are there bumps on my Natal Plum stems?

If you see small, waxy bumps on your Natal Plum, you likely have scale insects. These pests suck the sap from your plant and can weaken it over time. Check the undersides of leaves and along the woody stems first.

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the stems closely for raised bumps.
  2. Rub a leaf to see if it feels sticky.
  3. Check the undersides of leaves for hiding pests.

Likely causes

  1. Scale Insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small brown or tan bumps that look like tiny shells attached to the stems or leaf veins. If you scrape them with a fingernail, they come off easily.

    What to do: Dab each bump with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to kill them. Follow up by spraying the entire plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 to 10 days until they are gone.

  2. Mealybugs

    Possible

    How to tell: These look like tiny bits of white cotton tucked into the leaf joints. They leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew.

    What to do: Wipe the white clusters away with an alcohol soaked cloth. Treat the plant with a mild insecticidal soap spray once a week for 3 weeks.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your natal plum

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 plant is covered in sticky residue or leaves are turning yellow, act immediately. A few isolated bumps are easy to manage if caught early.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy with proper light and airflow, and inspect it every time you water to catch new pests before they spread.

Natal Plum: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your natal plum 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 just wash them off with water?
A strong spray of water can knock off some pests, but it rarely removes the stubborn scale insects. You need to use alcohol or soap to ensure they are actually dead.
Will these pests kill my plant?
A light infestation usually just slows down growth. If left untreated for months, the plant will lose vigor and may eventually die.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Natal Plum

Back to the Natal Plum 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.