Pest identification
What's eating my aglaonema red?
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly clusters in leaf axils and along stems; sticky honeydew leads to sooty mold and distorted growth.
Control: Isolate the plant; remove bugs with an alcohol swab; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until clear.
Spider mites
Signs: Stippled, dull leaves; fine webbing on undersides; in severe cases leaves yellow and drop.
Control: Increase humidity; wipe leaves clean; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days for 3 weeks.
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown or tan waxy bumps adhering to stems and midribs; yellowing leaves and sticky residue.
Control: Physically scrape off scales; treat with horticultural oil spray, repeating every 10–14 days.
Aphids
Signs: Soft insects clustering on new growth tips; curling, sticky leaves and possible sooty mold.
Control: Rinse with tepid water; apply insecticidal soap every 5 days until the infestation is eliminated.
Keep aglaonema red pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Aglaonema Red pests — FAQ
What is eating my aglaonema red?
Aglaonema Red is most commonly attacked by mealybugs and spider mites, both thriving in warm indoor conditions. Scale insects and aphids are occasional visitors. Its rich red foliage can mask early pest damage, so inspect leaf undersides and stem joints regularly. Neem oil and insecticidal soap are reliable controls for all common threats.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on aglaonema red?
White woolly clusters in leaf axils and along stems; sticky honeydew leads to sooty mold and distorted growth. Isolate the plant; remove bugs with an alcohol swab; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until clear.
How do I get rid of spider mites on aglaonema red?
Stippled, dull leaves; fine webbing on undersides; in severe cases leaves yellow and drop. Increase humidity; wipe leaves clean; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days for 3 weeks.
How do I get rid of scale insects on aglaonema red?
Hard brown or tan waxy bumps adhering to stems and midribs; yellowing leaves and sticky residue. Physically scrape off scales; treat with horticultural oil spray, repeating every 10–14 days.
How do I get rid of aphids on aglaonema red?
Soft insects clustering on new growth tips; curling, sticky leaves and possible sooty mold. Rinse with tepid water; apply insecticidal soap every 5 days until the infestation is eliminated.