Pest identification
What's eating my begonia 'potpourri'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew; stunted growth
Control: Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray whole plant with neem oil solution weekly until clear
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on undersides of leaves; stippled, bronze or pale speckled foliage
Control: Raise humidity, mist undersides, then apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days for 3 cycles
Thrips
Signs: Silver-streaked or scarred leaf surfaces; distorted new growth; tiny dark frass specks
Control: Remove heavily infested leaves; apply spinosad-based spray or neem oil; sticky yellow traps help monitor population
Keep begonia 'potpourri' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Begonia 'Potpourri' pests — FAQ
What is eating my begonia 'potpourri'?
Begonia 'Potpourri' is most threatened indoors by mealybugs, which cluster in leaf axils and under leaves. Spider mites thrive when the air is too dry, and thrips rasp the foliage causing silvery streaking. Inspect regularly, isolate new plants, and treat early with neem oil or insecticidal soap to stay ahead.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on begonia 'potpourri'?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew; stunted growth Dab individual colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray whole plant with neem oil solution weekly until clear
How do I get rid of spider mites on begonia 'potpourri'?
Fine webbing on undersides of leaves; stippled, bronze or pale speckled foliage Raise humidity, mist undersides, then apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days for 3 cycles
How do I get rid of thrips on begonia 'potpourri'?
Silver-streaked or scarred leaf surfaces; distorted new growth; tiny dark frass specks Remove heavily infested leaves; apply spinosad-based spray or neem oil; sticky yellow traps help monitor population