Pest identification
What's eating my black pagoda lipstick plant?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale flecks across the patterned leaves; webbing under foliage; plant looks dull and stressed
Control: Increase humidity; spray all leaf surfaces with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days for at least 3 cycles
Mealybugs
Signs: Waxy white clusters at stem junctions and leaf axils; honeydew and slow growth
Control: Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray weekly until no sign of infestation
Thrips
Signs: Silver streaking or scarring on leaves and flowers; tiny black frass dots; buds may fail to open
Control: Use yellow or blue sticky traps; spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly for 4 weeks
Keep black pagoda lipstick plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my black pagoda lipstick plant?
Aeschynanthus longicaulis, the Black Pagoda lipstick plant, is grown indoors for its mottled foliage and tubular flowers. Spider mites are the chief pest, followed by mealybugs at stem nodes. Thrips can scar the patterned leaves and damage flower buds. Maintaining humidity above 50% keeps mite pressure low.
How do I get rid of spider mites on black pagoda lipstick plant?
Tiny pale flecks across the patterned leaves; webbing under foliage; plant looks dull and stressed Increase humidity; spray all leaf surfaces with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days for at least 3 cycles
How do I get rid of mealybugs on black pagoda lipstick plant?
Waxy white clusters at stem junctions and leaf axils; honeydew and slow growth Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray weekly until no sign of infestation
How do I get rid of thrips on black pagoda lipstick plant?
Silver streaking or scarring on leaves and flowers; tiny black frass dots; buds may fail to open Use yellow or blue sticky traps; spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly for 4 weeks