Pest identification
What's eating my calathea vittata?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and bronzing on leaf tops; fine webbing on undersides; white stripes look dirty
Control: Increase humidity above 50%, shower the plant, then spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly
Thrips
Signs: Silvery rasping scars on the green portions of leaves; distorted new growth; tiny dark droppings
Control: Remove affected leaves, apply spinosad or neem oil; use yellow sticky traps to gauge population
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluff at petiole bases; leaves yellow and plant growth stalls
Control: Treat with alcohol swabs and follow up with neem oil; re-check weekly for 4 weeks
Keep calathea vittata pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Calathea Vittata pests — FAQ
What is eating my calathea vittata?
Calathea Vittata's striped leaves are most endangered by spider mites feeding on the undersides in warm, dry air. Thrips leave silvery streaks that ruin the clean white variegation, while mealybugs hide at the leaf base. High humidity is your primary prevention tool — these pests all spike when indoor air dries out in winter.
How do I get rid of spider mites on calathea vittata?
Pale stippling and bronzing on leaf tops; fine webbing on undersides; white stripes look dirty Increase humidity above 50%, shower the plant, then spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly
How do I get rid of thrips on calathea vittata?
Silvery rasping scars on the green portions of leaves; distorted new growth; tiny dark droppings Remove affected leaves, apply spinosad or neem oil; use yellow sticky traps to gauge population
How do I get rid of mealybugs on calathea vittata?
White fluff at petiole bases; leaves yellow and plant growth stalls Treat with alcohol swabs and follow up with neem oil; re-check weekly for 4 weeks