Pest identification
What's eating my calathea tropic snow?
Spider mites
Signs: Yellow-white stippling on the pale-striped leaf surface; fine webbing on leaf undersides; leaves look dry
Control: Shower the foliage, run a humidifier nearby, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until resolved
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters at the stem base and leaf sheaths; slowed growth and yellowing
Control: Spot-treat with alcohol swabs; follow with whole-plant neem oil spray every 10 days
Whitefly
Signs: Clouds of tiny white insects when plant is disturbed; sticky honeydew on leaf surfaces; yellowing
Control: Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin; keep plant indoors away from open windows in summer
Keep calathea tropic snow pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Calathea Tropic Snow pests — FAQ
What is eating my calathea tropic snow?
Calathea Tropic Snow (Goeppertia majestica 'Tropic Snow') shares the pest vulnerabilities typical of large-leafed calathea cultivars. Spider mites are the primary indoor threat. Mealybugs target the stem bases, and whitefly can become an issue if the plant is moved outdoors in summer. Consistent high humidity prevents most outbreaks.
How do I get rid of spider mites on calathea tropic snow?
Yellow-white stippling on the pale-striped leaf surface; fine webbing on leaf undersides; leaves look dry Shower the foliage, run a humidifier nearby, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until resolved
How do I get rid of mealybugs on calathea tropic snow?
Cottony white clusters at the stem base and leaf sheaths; slowed growth and yellowing Spot-treat with alcohol swabs; follow with whole-plant neem oil spray every 10 days
How do I get rid of whitefly on calathea tropic snow?
Clouds of tiny white insects when plant is disturbed; sticky honeydew on leaf surfaces; yellowing Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin; keep plant indoors away from open windows in summer