Pest identification
What's eating my anthurium andraeanum 'alabama'?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling and bronzing on leaves and spathes; webbing on undersides; leaves lose gloss and may yellow.
Control: Maintain high humidity (60%+); wipe leaves with a damp cloth weekly; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 7 days for 3–4 weeks.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony deposits at leaf axils, petiole bases, and on the spathe; honeydew makes surfaces sticky.
Control: Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol on a swab; spray the whole plant with diluted neem oil; repeat weekly until eradicated.
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan waxy bumps on stems and midribs; leaves yellow and weaken as sap is drained over time.
Control: Scrape off scales with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray; treat repeatedly every 10–14 days.
Keep anthurium andraeanum 'alabama' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats anthurium — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common anthurium andraeanum 'alabama' problems & fixes
- Anthurium andraeanum 'Alabama' watering schedule
- Anthurium andraeanum 'Alabama' light requirements
- Full anthurium andraeanum 'alabama' care guide
Anthurium andraeanum 'Alabama' pests — FAQ
What is eating my anthurium andraeanum 'alabama'?
Anthurium andraeanum 'Alabama' is a tropical indoor anthurium threatened mainly by spider mites and mealybugs. These sap-suckers colonize the glossy spathes and leaf undersides, reducing the plant's ornamental value. High humidity and regular leaf-wiping are the best preventive measures for all andraeanum cultivars grown indoors.
How do I get rid of spider mites on anthurium andraeanum 'alabama'?
Fine stippling and bronzing on leaves and spathes; webbing on undersides; leaves lose gloss and may yellow. Maintain high humidity (60%+); wipe leaves with a damp cloth weekly; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 7 days for 3–4 weeks.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on anthurium andraeanum 'alabama'?
White cottony deposits at leaf axils, petiole bases, and on the spathe; honeydew makes surfaces sticky. Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol on a swab; spray the whole plant with diluted neem oil; repeat weekly until eradicated.
How do I get rid of scale insects on anthurium andraeanum 'alabama'?
Brown or tan waxy bumps on stems and midribs; leaves yellow and weaken as sap is drained over time. Scrape off scales with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray; treat repeatedly every 10–14 days.