What's eating my columnea hirta?

Columnea hirta is a hairy-leafed trailing gesneriad grown indoors. Spider mites are the most common and damaging threat, thriving in dry air and targeting the leaf undersides. Mealybugs hide in the fuzzy stem joints. Aphids cluster on new growth, and whitefly may appear in poorly ventilated rooms. Trichome-covered leaves complicate treatment — thorough coverage is essential.

Pale stippling and silvery bronzing of leaves; fine webbing between stems; foliage deteriorates rapidly in dry rooms Raise humidity substantially; spray all leaf surfaces — including undersides — with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for at least three rounds; do not mist the flowers

White cottony deposits hidden in the hairy stem nodes and leaf bases; hard to spot early; plant weakens Use a cotton swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol to reach into furry crevices; follow with a neem oil spray; repeat weekly

Soft insects on tender shoot tips; distorted leaves; honeydew and sooty mould on leaves below Rinse off with a gentle water spray; apply insecticidal soap to new growth; repeat every 7 days until clear

Tiny white-winged insects rise in a cloud when foliage is disturbed; nymphs on undersides excrete honeydew causing sooty mould Use yellow sticky traps to reduce adult populations; spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap; repeat every 5 days for four rounds