What's eating my calathea compact star?

Calathea Compact Star, like all Goeppertia majestica cultivars, is most prone to spider mites in dry indoor air. Mealybugs and fungus gnats are also common. Keep humidity above 60%, avoid waterlogged soil, and inspect leaf undersides regularly — early detection is the most effective control.

Pale stippling or bronzing on leaves, with fine webbing visible on undersides in heavy infestations Increase ambient humidity, rinse foliage in a lukewarm shower, and apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil weekly

White fluffy deposits at leaf junctions and stem bases; leaves may yellow or wilt Remove with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab; spray entire plant with neem oil solution every 7–10 days

Larvae damage fine roots in moist soil; adult gnats are a nuisance but larvae cause stunted growth Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults and a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench for larvae