Pest identification
What's eating my calathea princeps?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale, stippled leaf surfaces and webbing on undersides; leaves curl and lose vibrancy
Control: Increase humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony tufts at leaf axils and stem nodes; sticky residue; yellowing of nearby leaves
Control: Remove manually with an alcohol swab; spray with diluted neem oil every 7–10 days
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft waxy bumps on stems; leaf yellowing and premature leaf drop if untreated
Control: Scrape off visible scale; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; repeat fortnightly
Keep calathea princeps pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Calathea Princeps pests — FAQ
What is eating my calathea princeps?
Calathea Princeps, an elegant patterned houseplant, is most vulnerable to spider mites in low-humidity homes. Mealybugs and scale can also establish on stems and leaf undersides. As with all calatheas, providing consistent moisture and humidity above 60% is your best first line of defense against pest outbreaks.
How do I get rid of spider mites on calathea princeps?
Pale, stippled leaf surfaces and webbing on undersides; leaves curl and lose vibrancy Increase humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on calathea princeps?
White cottony tufts at leaf axils and stem nodes; sticky residue; yellowing of nearby leaves Remove manually with an alcohol swab; spray with diluted neem oil every 7–10 days
How do I get rid of scale insects on calathea princeps?
Hard or soft waxy bumps on stems; leaf yellowing and premature leaf drop if untreated Scrape off visible scale; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; repeat fortnightly