Pest identification
What's eating my blechum brownei?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale dots across leaves, silvery speckling, and fine webbing when infestations are heavy
Control: Raise humidity around the plant, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adult gnats hover around soil; larvae feed on fine roots causing wilting and poor growth
Control: Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps and drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)
Mealybugs
Signs: White powdery residue and cottony clusters at stem joints; honeydew and sooty mold
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol, then spray the whole plant with neem oil solution; repeat weekly
Keep blechum brownei pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Blechum brownei pests — FAQ
What is eating my blechum brownei?
Blechum brownei is a low-growing tropical groundcover mostly grown indoors or in warm, humid spots. Spider mites are the most common pest, especially in dry indoor environments. Fungus gnats can breed in consistently moist soil. Mealybugs occasionally appear. Keeping soil moisture appropriate and airflow good prevents most problems.
How do I get rid of spider mites on blechum brownei?
Tiny pale dots across leaves, silvery speckling, and fine webbing when infestations are heavy Raise humidity around the plant, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on blechum brownei?
Adult gnats hover around soil; larvae feed on fine roots causing wilting and poor growth Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps and drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)
How do I get rid of mealybugs on blechum brownei?
White powdery residue and cottony clusters at stem joints; honeydew and sooty mold Dab with isopropyl alcohol, then spray the whole plant with neem oil solution; repeat weekly