scale insects on Syngonium
Quick answer
If your Syngonium has scale insects, the most likely cause is: Scale insects are listed in houseplant encyclopedias as a documented pest of Syngonium podophyllum; smooth, brown, oval scales attach to the undersides of leaves along the midrib or stems and on petioles, sucking sap and emitting sticky secretions that can kill the plant if unchecked.
Start here:
- 1. Wipe across each armored scale shell with a cotton swab drenched in isopropyl alcohol so the alcohol penetrates the protective coating and dehydrates the insect on contact.
- 2. Scrape scales off with a fingernail or by wiping with a damp cloth, then choose an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil that lists scale insects and your plant, repeating until no fresh shells appear.
Why Syngonium gets scale insects
Syngonium podophyllum / arrowhead
Scale insects are listed in houseplant encyclopedias as a documented pest of Syngonium podophyllum; smooth, brown, oval scales attach to the undersides of leaves along the midrib or stems and on petioles, sucking sap and emitting sticky secretions that can kill the plant if unchecked.
How to reverse scale insects on Syngonium
- 1
Wipe across each armored scale shell with a cotton swab drenched in isopropyl alcohol so the alcohol penetrates the protective coating and dehydrates the insect on contact.
- 2
Scrape scales off with a fingernail or by wiping with a damp cloth, then choose an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil that lists scale insects and your plant, repeating until no fresh shells appear.
Keep scale insects off this Syngonium
Inspect the undersides of Syngonium podophyllum leaves and the leaf-stem junctions on a routine basis for early mounded bumps, isolate newly purchased plants for a quarantine period before introducing them to other houseplants, and maintain even watering so the plant's natural defenses stay strong.