What's eating my blister plant?

Nautilocalyx pemphidius (Blister plant) is a tropical gesneriad with distinctive puckered leaves, grown as a houseplant or in warm terrariums. Mealybugs are the primary threat, concealing themselves in the textured leaf blisters. Spider mites emerge under low humidity. Fungus gnats target its moisture-loving compost mix.

White cottony masses hidden in the leaf blisters and along stems; sap loss causes leaf yellowing and wilting Use a fine brush dipped in alcohol to reach textured areas; follow with neem oil spray; repeat every 7–10 days

Fine webbing and bronzed, stippled patches on leaves; particularly damaging in heated indoor environments with low humidity Mist around the plant to raise humidity; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to all leaf surfaces; repeat weekly

Root and compost damage from larvae in persistently wet growing medium; adult gnats fly around soil Reduce watering; apply Bti drench to soil; use yellow sticky traps; consider switching to well-draining terrarium mix