Pest identification
What's eating my golden trumpet?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses at leaf axils and stem nodes; yellowing, distorted foliage; sticky honeydew and sooty mold
Control: Dab colonies with alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate the plant and repeat every 10 days
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on glossy leaves; webbing on undersides in dry, warm conditions; leaves lose luster and drop
Control: Increase humidity; mist foliage; spray with neem oil or miticide every 7 days for three applications
Aphids
Signs: Soft clusters on new shoot tips and flower buds; sticky residue; distorted growth
Control: Spray off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; pinch out heavily infested tips
Scale insects
Signs: Brown waxy bumps on woody stems; gradual plant decline; honeydew promoting sooty mold
Control: Scrub off with soapy water and a brush; treat with horticultural oil; check monthly for new crawlers
Keep golden trumpet pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Golden Trumpet pests — FAQ
What is eating my golden trumpet?
Golden trumpet is most often attacked by mealybugs and spider mites, particularly on plants kept indoors or in conservatories. Aphids cluster on soft new growth, and whitefly can build up on crowded stems. Scale may appear on woody sections. This tropical vine recovers well if treated early with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on golden trumpet?
White cottony masses at leaf axils and stem nodes; yellowing, distorted foliage; sticky honeydew and sooty mold Dab colonies with alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate the plant and repeat every 10 days
How do I get rid of spider mites on golden trumpet?
Fine pale stippling on glossy leaves; webbing on undersides in dry, warm conditions; leaves lose luster and drop Increase humidity; mist foliage; spray with neem oil or miticide every 7 days for three applications
How do I get rid of aphids on golden trumpet?
Soft clusters on new shoot tips and flower buds; sticky residue; distorted growth Spray off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; pinch out heavily infested tips
How do I get rid of scale insects on golden trumpet?
Brown waxy bumps on woody stems; gradual plant decline; honeydew promoting sooty mold Scrub off with soapy water and a brush; treat with horticultural oil; check monthly for new crawlers