The objective of this work was to determine the frequency of occurrence of ornamental plant species, both potted and in-ground and cultivated at residences in the municipal district of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil, as well as to survey the associated families of mealybugs and scale insects. At each residence sampled the ornamental species were identified and quantified. The plants were scouted for the presence of mealybugs and scale insects. Where present, samples were collected, conserved and sent for identification. One hundred and twenty two ornamental plant species were found, totaling 773 specimens in pots and 1,316 cultivated in external areas. Schlumbergera truncata was the pot species of highest abundance (1.2 plants/house) and Epipremnum pinnatum was the pot species found most frequently (44%). Among the plants used in external areas of the residences, Duranta repens was the most abundant (10.0 plants/house, on average) and the most frequent (34%). In general, the potted swordferns, especially Nephroplepsis esaltata, had high incidence of scale insects, as did Ixora coccinea in the landscape. The scales of the family Diaspididae were the ones that prevailed in ornamental plants. Also occurring were members of the Asterolecaniidae, Margarodidae, Ortheziidae and Pseudococcidae. The plants more infested by insects of the Diaspididae family were Dypsis lutescens and Polypodium perscifolium among the pot plants, and Podocarpus macrophyllus and Ixora coccinea among the landscape species. The plants more injured (yellowing and leaf abscission in more than 50% of the plant) by insects of the Diaspididae family were Nephroplepsis exaltata, Polypodium persicifolium and Portulaca grandiflora among the pot plants and Strelitzia reginae among the landscape species.