Pest identification
What's eating my creeping fig?
Scale insects
Signs: Tan or brown waxy bumps on stems and undersides of leaves; yellowing, leaf drop and sticky honeydew
Control: Scrub off with soapy water and a toothbrush; treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 2 weeks
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling and webbing on leaf undersides; leaves pale and drop in severe cases
Control: Raise humidity, rinse the plant, and spray with neem oil or miticide weekly until clear
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy wax in leaf axils and where stems branch; sticky residue and growth check
Control: Remove manually with alcohol swabs; follow up with insecticidal soap covering all stems
Keep creeping fig pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Creeping fig pests — FAQ
What is eating my creeping fig?
Creeping fig is most often attacked by scale insects — both soft and armoured scale colonise its small, leathery leaves and woody stems readily. Spider mites appear in dry indoor air, and mealybugs can establish in dense trailing growth. The small leaf size makes thorough spray coverage essential.
How do I get rid of scale insects on creeping fig?
Tan or brown waxy bumps on stems and undersides of leaves; yellowing, leaf drop and sticky honeydew Scrub off with soapy water and a toothbrush; treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 2 weeks
How do I get rid of spider mites on creeping fig?
Fine stippling and webbing on leaf undersides; leaves pale and drop in severe cases Raise humidity, rinse the plant, and spray with neem oil or miticide weekly until clear
How do I get rid of mealybugs on creeping fig?
White fluffy wax in leaf axils and where stems branch; sticky residue and growth check Remove manually with alcohol swabs; follow up with insecticidal soap covering all stems