Pest identification
What's eating my calathea misto?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on leaf undersides; pale stippling or bronzing of foliage
Control: Raise humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for 3 weeks
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters at leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew residue
Control: Dab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow up with neem oil spray; repeat weekly until clear
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae chew fine roots; adults are visible near the soil surface
Control: Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; use sticky yellow traps; drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti)
Keep calathea misto pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Calathea Misto pests — FAQ
What is eating my calathea misto?
Calathea Misto is most often attacked by spider mites and mealybugs indoors. Low humidity encourages both. Check leaf undersides and stem joints regularly. Fungus gnats target the moist potting mix. With prompt isolation and neem oil or insecticidal soap treatment, infestations are usually cleared within two to three weeks.
How do I get rid of spider mites on calathea misto?
Fine webbing on leaf undersides; pale stippling or bronzing of foliage Raise humidity, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for 3 weeks
How do I get rid of mealybugs on calathea misto?
White cottony clusters at leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew residue Dab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow up with neem oil spray; repeat weekly until clear
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on calathea misto?
Larvae chew fine roots; adults are visible near the soil surface Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; use sticky yellow traps; drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti)