Pest identification
What's eating my peacock plant?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; leaves curl and lose their pattern vibrancy
Control: Increase humidity, rinse leaves with water, then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until clear
Mealybugs
Signs: Fluffy white deposits at leaf joints and along midribs; honeydew and sooty mould may follow
Control: Remove by hand with an alcohol swab, then spray the whole plant with insecticidal soap
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae in moist soil damage roots; adults are a nuisance around the plant
Control: Allow soil surface to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults and a Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench for larvae
Keep peacock plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Peacock Plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my peacock plant?
Peacock Plant is most commonly attacked by spider mites, which explode in dry conditions — the opposite of what this humidity-lover needs. Mealybugs and fungus gnats are secondary threats. The patterned foliage can hide early damage, so inspect leaf undersides at every watering.
How do I get rid of spider mites on peacock plant?
Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; leaves curl and lose their pattern vibrancy Increase humidity, rinse leaves with water, then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until clear
How do I get rid of mealybugs on peacock plant?
Fluffy white deposits at leaf joints and along midribs; honeydew and sooty mould may follow Remove by hand with an alcohol swab, then spray the whole plant with insecticidal soap
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on peacock plant?
Larvae in moist soil damage roots; adults are a nuisance around the plant Allow soil surface to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults and a Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench for larvae