Troubleshooting
Cape Mallow problems — and how to fix them
Cape Mallow (Anisodontea capensis) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Glasshouse red spider mite
A primary pest when plants are grown under glass or in hot, dry conditions; mites cause pale, speckled foliage — maintain humidity, mist regularly, and introduce Phytoseiulus persimilis for biological control.
Whitefly
Whitefly colonise the undersides of leaves, causing sticky honeydew and sooty mould; use yellow sticky traps for monitoring and Encarsia formosa for biological control under glass.
Prevent cape mallow problems before they start
Most cape mallow issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Cape Mallow problems — FAQ
Why is my cape mallow glasshouse red spider mite?
A primary pest when plants are grown under glass or in hot, dry conditions; mites cause pale, speckled foliage — maintain humidity, mist regularly, and introduce Phytoseiulus persimilis for biological control.
Why is my cape mallow whitefly?
Whitefly colonise the undersides of leaves, causing sticky honeydew and sooty mould; use yellow sticky traps for monitoring and Encarsia formosa for biological control under glass.