Pest identification
What's eating my calathea veitchiana?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale speckling across the patterned upper leaf surface; webbing visible on the leaf underside; leaves turn dull bronze and may drop
Control: Maintain humidity above 60%, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray on a weekly schedule
Mealybugs
Signs: Fluffy white clusters in the angles between petioles and stems; sticky residue; yellowed or stunted leaves
Control: Treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, then follow up with neem oil foliar spray; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
Scale insects
Signs: Brown waxy bumps along stems and midribs; leaf yellowing and honeydew leading to sooty mould growth
Control: Manually remove scales with a soft brush or cloth dipped in alcohol, then treat with horticultural oil; re-inspect and retreat after 2 weeks
Keep calathea veitchiana pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Calathea Veitchiana pests — FAQ
What is eating my calathea veitchiana?
Calathea Veitchiana (Goeppertia veitchiana), admired for its feathered dark green leaf patterns, is prone to spider mites and mealybugs — the standard calathea indoor pest duo. Its large leaves show stippling and waxy deposits clearly. High ambient humidity is both a cultural requirement and the best passive defence against spider mite colonisation.
How do I get rid of spider mites on calathea veitchiana?
Pale speckling across the patterned upper leaf surface; webbing visible on the leaf underside; leaves turn dull bronze and may drop Maintain humidity above 60%, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray on a weekly schedule
How do I get rid of mealybugs on calathea veitchiana?
Fluffy white clusters in the angles between petioles and stems; sticky residue; yellowed or stunted leaves Treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, then follow up with neem oil foliar spray; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of scale insects on calathea veitchiana?
Brown waxy bumps along stems and midribs; leaf yellowing and honeydew leading to sooty mould growth Manually remove scales with a soft brush or cloth dipped in alcohol, then treat with horticultural oil; re-inspect and retreat after 2 weeks