Pest identification
What's eating my ctenanthe compressa?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale dots stippled across leaf surfaces; webbing under leaves; leaves lose colour and lustre and may dry out at tips
Control: Raise room humidity, shower the plant to physically remove mites, then spray insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until resolved
Mealybugs
Signs: White powdery or cotton-like clusters at the base of leaves and in stem crevices; sticky honeydew attracting sooty mould
Control: Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol, then apply neem oil spray to the whole plant; repeat weekly and monitor for 4 weeks
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown or tan shell-like bumps on stems; yellowing leaves; weakened growth over time
Control: Scrape off scales manually, wipe area with an alcohol cloth, and apply horticultural or neem oil; repeat treatment in 14 days
Keep ctenanthe compressa pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ctenanthe Compressa pests — FAQ
What is eating my ctenanthe compressa?
Ctenanthe compressa, grown indoors for its elongated patterned leaves, is most vulnerable to spider mites in low-humidity environments. Mealybugs and scale insects also attack, particularly on new growth. Keep humidity above 55%, clean leaves regularly to remove dust and early pests, and quarantine any new plant purchases before placing near this species.
How do I get rid of spider mites on ctenanthe compressa?
Tiny pale dots stippled across leaf surfaces; webbing under leaves; leaves lose colour and lustre and may dry out at tips Raise room humidity, shower the plant to physically remove mites, then spray insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until resolved
How do I get rid of mealybugs on ctenanthe compressa?
White powdery or cotton-like clusters at the base of leaves and in stem crevices; sticky honeydew attracting sooty mould Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol, then apply neem oil spray to the whole plant; repeat weekly and monitor for 4 weeks
How do I get rid of scale insects on ctenanthe compressa?
Hard brown or tan shell-like bumps on stems; yellowing leaves; weakened growth over time Scrape off scales manually, wipe area with an alcohol cloth, and apply horticultural or neem oil; repeat treatment in 14 days