What's eating my amorphophallus maximus?

Amorphophallus maximus, a large tropical aroid grown indoors or in warm greenhouses, is most troubled by spider mites and mealybugs, which exploit dry air around its dramatic foliage. Aphids may colonize new growth. The corm in storage is vulnerable to rot from fungus gnats in wet compost. Inspect leaf undersides regularly.

Fine webbing on leaf undersides; stippled, bronzed or yellowing foliage, often in dry conditions Raise humidity; wipe leaves with a damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, repeating every 5–7 days

White cottony clusters at leaf axils and petiole bases; sticky honeydew residue and stunted new growth Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat the whole plant with neem oil or systemic imidacloprid for heavy infestations

Soft-bodied clusters on unfurling leaves and stems; distorted new growth and sticky honeydew Blast off with a strong water spray; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce lacewings or parasitic wasps if growing in a greenhouse

Larvae feed on fine roots and organic matter in wet compost, weakening the plant; adults are a nuisance indicator of overwatering Allow the top 2 inches of compost to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; drench with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) or beneficial nematodes