For light infestations, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and touch it directly to each mealybug. The alcohol kills them on contact.
In the case of larger infestations, neem oil or insecticidal soap work well.
You may need to repeat treatments every five to seven days for several weeks to completely eliminate the pests, as eggs can hatch after initial treatment.
Our guide to battling mealybugs has more information.
Scale
Scale insects appear as small, brown, oval bumps on stems and leaves. Like mealybugs, they suck sap from the tissue and can weaken it over time.
These pests are less common than mealybugs but can be more stubborn to eliminate.
Remove scale manually by scraping them off with your fingernail or a dull knife, then follow up with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to kill any you missed.
Spider Mites
Spider mites occasionally appear, particularly when conditions are warm and dry with poor air circulation.
These tiny arachnids are difficult to see with the naked eye, but you’ll notice their webbing between leaves and stems.
Infested specimens may have stippled, yellowing leaves or a dusty appearance. Increase humidity around the plant by misting or spraying it off with water.
For persistent problems, neem oil or insecticidal soap can help.
Check out our guide to spider mites to learn more.
Disease
Root rot is the most serious problem you’re likely to encounter. This happens when plants sit in waterlogged soil, creating conditions that starve the roots of oxygen and encourage pathogens.
Symptoms include yellowing or blackening leaves, soft or mushy stems, and a generally declining appearance.
If you suspect root rot, unpot immediately and examine the roots. Healthy roots are firm and white or tan, while rotted roots are brown, black, and mushy with an unpleasant smell.
If you catch it early, you can sometimes save the plant. Remove all affected roots with clean scissors, let them dry completely for several days, and repot into fresh, dry soil.
Don’t water for at least a week. Unfortunately, severely affected specimens may not recover.
Prevention is key: always use well-draining soil, pots with drainage holes, and allow soil to dry completely between waterings.
Learn more about managing root rot here.
While not a disease, leaf drop can result from overwatering, underwatering, sudden temperature changes, or insufficient light.
Assess your growing conditions and adjust as needed.
E.T. Phone Home
Whether you’re adding to an established succulent collection or looking for a forgiving first houseplant with personality, ‘Gollum’ aka Shrek ears or E.T. fingers fits the bill.
Once you nail down the basics: bright light, well-draining soil, and a hands-off approach to watering, ‘Gollum’ will reward you with years of reliable growth and those distinctive finger-like leaves that never fail to spark conversation.
Are you growing ‘Gollum’ jade? Let us know in the comments section below!
And for more information about growing plants in the Crassula genus, check out these guides next:
