What's eating my calathea mirabilis?

Goeppertia mirabilis, a lesser-known calathea with silvery patterned leaves, shares the pest vulnerabilities of the wider calathea family. Spider mites are the primary indoor threat, followed by mealybugs. Its preference for high humidity conflicts with typical indoor conditions, making spider mite prevention through humidity management the most effective long-term strategy.

Minute pale dots forming a stippled pattern on the silvery leaf surface; webbing under leaves; leaf tips brown and curl inward Increase room humidity, mist or shower leaves regularly, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days

White powdery or waxy deposits at leaf axils and along the petiole; sticky honeydew and possible sooty mould Dab individual colonies with an alcohol swab, apply neem oil to all plant surfaces, and isolate until fully clear; repeat weekly

Root feeding by larvae weakens the plant, causing yellowing and flagging; adult gnats are visible hovering around the soil Allow topsoil to dry out, use yellow sticky traps for adults, and drench soil with Bti solution to target larvae at the source