Pest identification
What's eating my calathea network gold?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale speckling that can blend with the mosaic pattern; webbing on undersides; leaves turn dull and dry
Control: Wipe leaf undersides with a damp cloth; raise humidity; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy deposits in stem nodes and leaf axils; honeydew residue; leaf yellowing
Control: Remove manually with an alcohol-soaked swab; treat plant with diluted neem oil spray every 7–10 days
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown bumps along stems; leaves yellow and plants weaken over time
Control: Scrape off scale with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat every 2 weeks for 6 weeks
Keep calathea network gold pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Calathea Network Gold pests — FAQ
What is eating my calathea network gold?
Calathea Network Gold (Goeppertia musaica 'Gold') has intricate mosaic patterning that can hide early pest damage. Spider mites are the most common attacker. Mealybugs and scale can establish in stem crevices. Because the foliage patterning disguises stippling, check undersides closely and inspect bi-weekly to catch problems early.
How do I get rid of spider mites on calathea network gold?
Fine pale speckling that can blend with the mosaic pattern; webbing on undersides; leaves turn dull and dry Wipe leaf undersides with a damp cloth; raise humidity; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on calathea network gold?
White waxy deposits in stem nodes and leaf axils; honeydew residue; leaf yellowing Remove manually with an alcohol-soaked swab; treat plant with diluted neem oil spray every 7–10 days
How do I get rid of scale insects on calathea network gold?
Small brown bumps along stems; leaves yellow and plants weaken over time Scrape off scale with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat every 2 weeks for 6 weeks