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Talipot palm · Corypha umbraculifera

Why are there small bumps on my Talipot palm leaves?

If you see small, shell like bumps on the undersides of your palm leaves, you likely have scale insects. These pests suck the sap from your plant and can weaken it over time. Check the undersides of the leaves and the stems for these clusters immediately.

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of every leaf for bumps.
  2. Check the base of the stems for white cottony residue.
  3. Look for sticky honeydew on the leaves below the infestation.

Likely causes

  1. Scale insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: Look for small, brown or tan bumps that look like tiny shells stuck to the leaves. If you can scrape them off with your fingernail, they are definitely scale.

    What to do: Dab each insect with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill them on contact. Follow up by spraying the entire plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days for 3 weeks to catch any hidden eggs.

  2. Mealybugs

    Possible

    How to tell: These look like tiny bits of white cotton tucked into the crevices of the palm. They often hide where the leaf meets the stem.

    What to do: Wipe the white cottony patches away with a cloth soaked in soapy water. Apply a horticultural oil spray to the foliage to prevent them from returning.

When to worry

It is serious if the leaves start turning yellow or dropping because the infestation is widespread. A few isolated bugs are easy to manage.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your palm healthy with consistent light and water, and inspect the leaves every time you water to catch new pests early.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your talipot palm.

This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf 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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Questions people ask

Can I just wash the bugs off with a hose?
A strong stream of water can help dislodge some pests, but it rarely kills them all. You must follow up with a treatment like neem oil to ensure they are gone.
Will these bugs kill my Talipot palm?
A massive infestation can drain the plant of energy and lead to secondary infections. If caught early, your palm will recover just fine.

More problems with Talipot palm

Back to the Talipot palm guide

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