What's eating my aglaonema chocolate?

Aglaonema Chocolate's dark, velvety foliage is targeted by mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips indoors. The dark leaf colour can mask early damage, so check undersides frequently. Low humidity — common near radiators in winter — significantly raises the risk of spider mite outbreaks on this cultivar.

White cottony masses tucked into stem joints and along the midrib; stunted new growth Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a swab; follow up with neem oil spray every 7–10 days

Pale stippling and faint webbing on leaf undersides; leaves look dusty and lose vibrancy Increase humidity to above 50%, rinse leaves, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil repeatedly

Silver or bronze streaking on leaf surfaces; tiny black frass dots visible under magnification Remove heavily affected leaves, apply spinosad or neem oil, and use sticky blue traps to monitor adult populations