scale on Aglaonema
Quick answer
If your Aglaonema has scale, the most likely cause is: Scale insects are described as the most serious insect pest of Aglaonema in Pleasant's Complete Houseplant Survival Manual. They appear as small disc-shaped creatures clinging to stems and the undersides of the Chinese evergreen's glossy leaves, weakening the plant by siphoning sap from vascular tissue while plants appear weak despite normal watering.
Start here:
- 1. Dispose of badly infested plants if the scale population has spread across most stems and leaf undersides, since heavy infestations are usually not worth saving.
- 2. For light infestations, isolate the plant immediately and gently scrape scales off with a fingernail or soft brush; repeat every few days before any spray treatment.
Why Aglaonema gets scale
Aglaonema
Scale insects are described as the most serious insect pest of Aglaonema in Pleasant's Complete Houseplant Survival Manual. They appear as small disc-shaped creatures clinging to stems and the undersides of the Chinese evergreen's glossy leaves, weakening the plant by siphoning sap from vascular tissue while plants appear weak despite normal watering.
How to reverse scale on Aglaonema
- 1
Dispose of badly infested plants if the scale population has spread across most stems and leaf undersides, since heavy infestations are usually not worth saving.
- 2
For light infestations, isolate the plant immediately and gently scrape scales off with a fingernail or soft brush; repeat every few days before any spray treatment.
- 3
Spray the entire plant, including leaf undersides and stem crotches, with insecticidal soap after testing a single leaf for tolerance; reapply every 7 to 10 days to kill newly mobile crawlers.
Keep scale off this Aglaonema
Inspect new nursery plants for disc-shaped bumps on stems and leaf undersides before purchase, and quarantine any suspect specimens for at least 14 days. Keep the Chinese evergreen stress-free with consistent watering and 40-60 percent ambient humidity, which strengthens the plant's natural defenses against sap-sucker colonization.