Troubleshooting
Painted Nettle problems — and how to fix them
Painted Nettle (Plectranthus scutellarioides) 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.
Colour fade
Vivid leaf colour bleaches in too-low light or when flower spikes are allowed to fully develop. Move to a brighter position and pinch out flower spikes as soon as they appear.
Whitefly infestation
Tiny white insects cluster under leaves and weaken the plant by sucking sap, leaving sticky honeydew and sooty mould. Treat early with yellow sticky traps and repeat applications of insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Prevent painted nettle problems before they start
Most painted nettle issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Painted Nettle problems — FAQ
Why is my painted nettle colour fade?
Vivid leaf colour bleaches in too-low light or when flower spikes are allowed to fully develop. Move to a brighter position and pinch out flower spikes as soon as they appear.
Why is my painted nettle whitefly infestation?
Tiny white insects cluster under leaves and weaken the plant by sucking sap, leaving sticky honeydew and sooty mould. Treat early with yellow sticky traps and repeat applications of insecticidal soap or neem oil.