What's eating my begonia 'fiestas'?

Begonia 'Fiestas' attracts the usual houseplant culprits: mealybugs are the biggest risk, sheltering in its textured foliage and stem joints. Thrips can scar the leaves and distort flowers, and fungus gnats breed in overly moist compost. Keep the growing medium from staying waterlogged and inspect new growth every week.

Cottony white deposits in leaf axils and stem crevices; yellowing and wilting Isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab for spot removal; follow up with neem oil spray across the whole plant

Silvery scarring on leaf surfaces; distorted buds and flowers; tiny dark excrement specks Remove affected growth; apply spinosad or neem oil every 5–7 days; use sticky blue or yellow traps

Larvae in compost damage fine roots; adults are a nuisance but rarely harm mature plants directly Allow compost surface to dry between waterings; apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench or yellow sticky traps at soil level