The Madagascar palm is a very robust and easy-care succulent that is rarely affected by diseases. Pests such as scale insects are more likely to appear and cause lasting damage to the plant. How to prevent diseases and control pests.
How can diseases be prevented in the Madagascar palm?
To prevent diseases and pests in the Madagascar palm, you should not keep the root ball too moist, use water-permeable substrate, keep the plant warm in winter and inspect it regularly for diseases or pests.
Illnesses caused by too much wetness and cold
A Madagascar palm only suffers from diseases if you water it too often or the location is too cool. The succulent cannot tolerate waterlogging at all. It also does not tolerate soil temperatures that are too cool.
Do not water Madagascar palms too frequently or too thoroughly. The root ball should be slightly moist inside, the remaining substrate should be dry.
If the leaves have changed color due to wetness and cold or the trunk has even become soft, there may be trunk rot. Pot the Madagascar palm in fresh substrate and do not water it for a long time.
Identifying pest infestations caused by scale insects
Scale insects are noticeable through sticky deposits on the leaves. Sometimes the leaves are stunted or turn black.
How to treat pests on the Madagascar palm
Wipe the lice with a soft cloth. If the plant is not too big yet, you can spray it with the shower for a short time. But let them dry thoroughly afterwards.
Treat leaves and trunk with commercially available sprays. Sometimes it helps if you rub oil on the affected areas to deprive the lice of oxygen.
The Madagascar palm is losing leaves
The loss of leaves is not necessarily an indication of disease. The plant loses its leaves at the end of the growth phase, so this is a normal process.
Prevent diseases and pests
- Don’t keep the root ball too moist
- use water-permeable substrate
- don't keep it too cold in winter
- check regularly for diseases
You can easily prevent diseases and pests on the Madagascar palm. It is important that the plant is never kept too wet. It also doesn't need high humidity. The ambient temperature, especially in winter, should be high enough.
Check the leaves regularly for pests so that an infestation can be recognized and treated immediately.
Tip
If the Madagascar palm is attacked by pests during its stay in summer, it is recommended to use natural enemies of the scale insects. These include ladybirds and lacewings.
