Will these bugs kill my plant?

If left untreated, they will suck the energy out of your plant and cause it to decline. Regular cleaning keeps them away.

Yes, neem oil is effective, but be careful to apply it in the evening to avoid leaf burn from sunlight.

Scarlet Star: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of leaves for bumps.
Look for sticky residue on the leaves.
Check the crevices where leaves meet the stem.

Likely causes

Scale Insects
Most likely
How to tell: You see small, hard, brown bumps that you can scrape off with your fingernail.
What to do: Gently scrape the bumps off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Repeat this weekly until you no longer see any pests.
Mealybugs
Possible
How to tell: You see white, cottony patches in the crevices of the leaves.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth and treat the area with insecticidal soap. Keep the plant away from others to prevent spreading.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your scarlet star

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.

When to worry

Small infestations are easy to manage, but if the entire plant is covered, it may be best to discard it to protect your other plants. A few spots are normal if you just brought the plant home.

Stopping it coming back

Wipe your plant's leaves down monthly with a damp cloth to remove dust and check for early signs of pests.

Scarlet Star: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your scarlet star 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will these bugs kill my plant?: If left untreated, they will suck the energy out of your plant and cause it to decline. Regular cleaning keeps them away.
Can I use neem oil?: Yes, neem oil is effective, but be careful to apply it in the evening to avoid leaf burn from sunlight.

What are these brown bumps on my Scarlet Star?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your scarlet star?

Likely causes

Scale Insects

Mealybugs

Find out what's wrong with your scarlet star

When to worry

Stopping it coming back

Scarlet Star: pests? Check yours with a photo

Questions people ask

Guides to these causes

More problems with Scarlet Star