Pest identification
What's eating my pinstripe calathea?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale specks and fine webbing on the undersides of leaves; overall dulling of the vivid striping.
Control: Increase humidity, mist or wipe leaves, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days for 3–4 weeks.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along the midrib; sticky honeydew on surrounding surfaces.
Control: Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow up with neem oil spray.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Tiny dark flies around the soil; larvae feed on fine roots, causing wilting and poor growth.
Control: Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps and apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) soil drench.
Keep pinstripe calathea pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pinstripe Calathea pests — FAQ
What is eating my pinstripe calathea?
Pinstripe Calathea is most commonly attacked by spider mites, which thrive in dry indoor air and quickly disfigure the striking pink-striped leaves. Mealybugs and fungus gnats are secondary concerns. Keep humidity high and inspect leaf undersides weekly to catch problems before they spread.
How do I get rid of spider mites on pinstripe calathea?
Tiny pale specks and fine webbing on the undersides of leaves; overall dulling of the vivid striping. Increase humidity, mist or wipe leaves, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days for 3–4 weeks.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on pinstripe calathea?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along the midrib; sticky honeydew on surrounding surfaces. Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow up with neem oil spray.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on pinstripe calathea?
Tiny dark flies around the soil; larvae feed on fine roots, causing wilting and poor growth. Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps and apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) soil drench.