Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Examine the stems closely with a magnifying glass.
- Look for sticky residue on the leaves or the floor beneath the plant.
- Check the undersides of the leaves for small bumps.
Likely causes
Scale Insects
Most likelyHow to tell: You see small, hard, brown or tan bumps that can be scraped off with a fingernail.
What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly onto each insect to kill them. Repeat this process weekly until you see no more pests.
Mealybugs
PossibleHow to tell: Look for white, cottony masses hiding in the crevices where leaves meet the stem.
What to do: Wipe the white spots away with a cloth soaked in soapy water or alcohol. Keep the plant away from others to prevent the infestation from spreading.
Find out what's wrong with your dragon blood tree
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
If the entire stem is covered in scales, the plant will struggle to grow. A few isolated bugs are easy to manage.
Stopping it coming back
Wipe down the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to keep them clean and inspect the plant whenever you water.
Dragon blood tree: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your dragon blood tree 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Do I need to use pesticides?
- Usually, manual removal with alcohol is enough for a Dragon's Blood Tree. Avoid heavy chemicals if possible.
- Are these bugs harmful?
- Yes, they suck the sap and weaken the tree. They need to be removed to keep your plant healthy.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Dragon blood tree
Back to the Dragon blood tree 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.