Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Amaryllis · Hippeastrum reginae

What is eating my Amaryllis?

Pests on Amaryllis can be quite destructive, especially those that target the bulb itself. Check the base of the plant and the bulb surface for signs of damage or tunneling.

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

Check these first

  1. Examine the bulb for small entry holes.
  2. Look for white cottony patches where leaves meet the bulb.
  3. Gently press the bulb to see if it feels hollow or mushy.

Likely causes

  1. Narcissus Bulb Fly

    Most likely

    How to tell: The plant suddenly stops growing or collapses entirely. You may find small holes or soft, rotting areas on the bulb where larvae have tunneled inside.

    What to do: If the bulb is soft and hollowed out, it is best to discard the plant to prevent spread. There is no effective treatment for an infested bulb.

  2. Mealybugs

    Possible

    How to tell: It is less common for this plant, but mealybugs sometimes appear as white, cottony masses in the leaf axils. They suck sap and cause stunted growth.

    What to do: Dab the white spots with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Repeat this once a week until you no longer see the pests.

Find out what's wrong with your amaryllis

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

If the bulb feels soft or collapses, the damage is usually too far gone to save the plant. Catching mealybugs early is easy, but bulb fly damage is often fatal.

Stopping it coming back

Inspect new bulbs carefully before planting and keep the soil surface clean of debris.

Keep your amaryllis healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

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

Questions people ask

Can I save a bulb with fly larvae?
Usually no, as the larvae destroy the center of the bulb. It is safer to remove the plant to protect others.
How do I spot mealybugs?
Look for tiny white fuzzy spots in the crevices of the leaves. They look like small bits of cotton.

More problems with Amaryllis

Back to the Amaryllis 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.