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Yew pine · Podocarpus macrophyllus

Why are there bumps on my Yew pine?

If you see small, waxy bumps on the stems or undersides of leaves, your Yew pine likely has scale insects. These pests suck the sap and can weaken your plant if left alone. Check the stems closely for these tiny invaders.

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of leaves for bumps.
  2. Check stems for sticky residue.
  3. Look for white cottony patches in the joints.

Likely causes

  1. Scale insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small, brown or tan bumps that look like part of the plant but can be scraped off with a fingernail. They often leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew.

    What to do: Gently scrape off the visible scales with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Follow up by spraying the entire plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days for 3 weeks.

  2. Mealybugs

    Possible

    How to tell: These look like tiny bits of white cotton tucked into the leaf axils or along the stems. They also cause the plant to lose vigor.

    What to do: Dab the white spots with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to kill them on contact. Treat the plant with a systemic insecticide if the infestation is widespread.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your yew pine

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

Worry if the leaves start yellowing or dropping rapidly due to the infestation. 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.

Yew pine: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your yew pine 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 the bugs off?
A strong spray of water can help dislodge some pests, but it rarely removes the entire population. You must use alcohol or soap to ensure they are actually killed.
Will these bugs spread to my other plants?
Yes, scale and mealybugs can easily move to nearby plants. Isolate your Yew pine immediately until you are sure the infestation is gone.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Yew pine

Back to the Yew pine 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.