Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'northern lights'?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale dots (stippling) across leaf surface; fine webbing on undersides; dull, bleached appearance
Control: Boost humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until clear
Mealybugs
Signs: Fluffy white waxy deposits in leaf axils and along veins; honeydew residue and sooty mold
Control: Spot-treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; drench soil lightly with diluted neem for soil mealybugs
Thrips
Signs: Silvery scratching or streaks on leaves; flowers and new growth may be distorted
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad; remove heavily affected leaves and repeat applications weekly
Keep begonia 'northern lights' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Northern Lights' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'northern lights'?
Begonia 'Northern Lights' (rex-cultorum) faces the same indoor pest trio as most rex begonias: spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips. The large, metallic-silver foliage makes stippling damage especially obvious. Maintain good humidity, inspect weekly, and treat at first sign with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'northern lights'?
Tiny pale dots (stippling) across leaf surface; fine webbing on undersides; dull, bleached appearance Boost humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until clear
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'northern lights'?
Fluffy white waxy deposits in leaf axils and along veins; honeydew residue and sooty mold Spot-treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; drench soil lightly with diluted neem for soil mealybugs
How do I get rid of thrips on begonia 'northern lights'?
Silvery scratching or streaks on leaves; flowers and new growth may be distorted Spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad; remove heavily affected leaves and repeat applications weekly