Ponytail Palm with Tiny Bugs: Likely Harmless Visitors, Not Pests

Tiny Bugs on Ponytail Palm—Should You Worry?

Maria's 4-year-old ponytail palm (10" pot, 16" tall) suddenly has tiny black bugs on leaves—smaller than pinhead, moving. Showering leaves every other day didn't help.

Expert Assessment from Will Creed

Description doesn't match any ponytail pest. Scale insects are bumps that don't move visibly. These are likely harmless local insects resting on the plant.

Simple Treatment

Spray with: 5 parts water, 1 part rubbing alcohol, squirt of liquid soap. Should remove bugs; unlikely to return.

For questions, contact Will at wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com or HorticulturalHelp.com.