What's eating my rose-painted calathea (dottie)?

Rose-painted Calathea (Dottie) is most commonly hit by spider mites, which exploit low humidity to colonise its ornate foliage. Thrips scar the patterned leaf surface and are hard to spot early, while mealybugs nestle in the crowded base. The decorative markings make cosmetic damage especially noticeable — inspect undersides weekly.

Fine pale stippling on leaf tops and webbing beneath; patterned markings fade and leaves curl Mist daily or use a humidifier; wipe foliage and spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for a month

Silver streaking and tiny black frass on leaf surfaces; new leaves emerge distorted or scarred Isolate plant, remove heavily damaged leaves, apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; sticky traps help monitor

White powdery clusters at the base of petioles and in the centre rosette Dab with isopropyl alcohol, follow with neem oil spray; repeat every 5–7 days and check soil for root mealybugs