Pest identification
What's eating my chirita sinensis?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy deposits at leaf axils and on stems; honeydew drips and encourages sooty mould; growth stalls.
Control: Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol; spray plant thoroughly with dilute neem oil every 7 days; quarantine away from other gesneriads.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippled patches across leaf surfaces; fine silvery webbing on undersides in warm, dry rooms.
Control: Raise ambient humidity; apply insecticidal soap spray to both leaf surfaces every 5-7 days until infestation resolves.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae graze on roots and organic matter; adults hovering around the pot indicate waterlogged compost.
Control: Let the top layer of compost dry out; deploy yellow sticky traps; drench with Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to kill larvae.
Keep chirita sinensis pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Chirita sinensis pests — FAQ
What is eating my chirita sinensis?
Chirita sinensis (now classified as Primulina sinensis) is a popular indoor gesneriad with silver-patterned leaves. As a houseplant it is most troubled by mealybugs sheltering in its velvety leaf axils, spider mites in dry conditions, and fungus gnats in over-watered pots. Mealybugs are the most commonly reported pest by collectors.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on chirita sinensis?
White fluffy deposits at leaf axils and on stems; honeydew drips and encourages sooty mould; growth stalls. Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol; spray plant thoroughly with dilute neem oil every 7 days; quarantine away from other gesneriads.
How do I get rid of spider mites on chirita sinensis?
Pale stippled patches across leaf surfaces; fine silvery webbing on undersides in warm, dry rooms. Raise ambient humidity; apply insecticidal soap spray to both leaf surfaces every 5-7 days until infestation resolves.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on chirita sinensis?
Larvae graze on roots and organic matter; adults hovering around the pot indicate waterlogged compost. Let the top layer of compost dry out; deploy yellow sticky traps; drench with Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to kill larvae.