Identifying scale insects on Pothos
Small brown or tan shell-like bumps along Pothos vines and on the underside of leaves near the midrib — they stay in one place once settled, making them easy to miss during a casual glance.
Life cycle
Crawlers emerge from under scale and disperse. Settled scales are immobile under protective shell.
Damage to Pothos
Scale insects sap-suck along the vine and leaf midribs, weakening and yellowing nearby leaves, with honeydew buildup that can coat lower leaves in sticky residue and sooty mould.
How to treat scale insects on Pothos
Scrape off visible scale with a fingernail or soft toothbrush, then wipe the area with rubbing alcohol. Follow with horticultural oil across vines and leaf undersides, repeating every 1–2 weeks until resolved.
Preventing scale insects on Pothos
Inspect vines and leaf undersides periodically, especially on older growth, and quarantine new plants before placing them nearby.