Scale Insects on Fiddle Leaf Fig
How to identify and get rid of scale insects on Fiddle Leaf Fig. Size: 1–5mm.
Identifying scale insects on Fiddle Leaf Fig
Small brown or tan shell-like bumps along stems and on the underside of leaves near the midrib, often easy to miss on the plant's large leaf surfaces.
Life cycle
Crawlers emerge from under scale and disperse. Settled scales are immobile under protective shell.
Damage to Fiddle Leaf Fig
Scale insects sap-suck along stems and leaf ribs, weakening growth and coating surfaces in honeydew that attracts sooty mould, detracting from the plant's decorative glossy leaves.
How to treat scale insects on Fiddle Leaf Fig
Scrape off visible scale with a fingernail or soft toothbrush, then wipe with rubbing alcohol. Follow with horticultural oil, repeating every 1–2 weeks.
Preventing scale insects on Fiddle Leaf Fig
Inspect stems and leaf undersides regularly, and quarantine new plants before placing them nearby.