Pest identification
What's eating my polka dot begonia?
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly clusters at stem nodes and along canes; leaves yellow near colonies; honeydew and sooty mould
Control: Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with insecticidal soap focusing on stem junctions; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
Spider mites
Signs: Pale speckling on silver-spotted leaves; fine webbing on undersides; leaves may drop in severe cases
Control: Increase humidity; rinse foliage; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to all leaf surfaces every 5–7 days
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults fly around the pot; larvae feed on roots and organic matter, weakening the plant over time
Control: Let soil surface dry between waterings; apply Bti drench; use yellow sticky traps to reduce adult population
Keep polka dot begonia pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Polka dot begonia pests — FAQ
What is eating my polka dot begonia?
Polka dot begonia is a magnet for powdery mildew and botrytis (fungal rather than pest issues), but on the pest front mealybugs and spider mites are the most common attackers indoors. Fungus gnats breed readily in its moist potting mix. The white-spotted leaves make pest spotting tricky — check stem nodes and undersides carefully.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on polka dot begonia?
White woolly clusters at stem nodes and along canes; leaves yellow near colonies; honeydew and sooty mould Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with insecticidal soap focusing on stem junctions; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of spider mites on polka dot begonia?
Pale speckling on silver-spotted leaves; fine webbing on undersides; leaves may drop in severe cases Increase humidity; rinse foliage; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to all leaf surfaces every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on polka dot begonia?
Adults fly around the pot; larvae feed on roots and organic matter, weakening the plant over time Let soil surface dry between waterings; apply Bti drench; use yellow sticky traps to reduce adult population