Growli

Pest identification

What's eating my never never plant 'grey star'?

Spider mites

Signs: Pale stippling on the silvery-grey upper leaf surface; fine webbing on undersides; leaves curl and brown at edges

Control: Mist leaves and wipe undersides; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 7 days; move away from radiators

Mealybugs

Signs: White woolly deposits at leaf sheath bases and in stem forks; weakened stems; honeydew residue

Control: Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with a neem oil foliar spray; isolate plant from other calatheas and marantaceae

Fungus gnats

Signs: Larvae chew fine roots causing yellowing and wilting; adult gnats hover around the pot

Control: Let soil surface dry between waterings; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; use yellow sticky traps

Keep never never plant 'grey star' pest-free

Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:

Never Never Plant 'Grey Star' pests — FAQ

What is eating my never never plant 'grey star'?

Never Never Plant 'Grey Star' is most susceptible to spider mites, which flourish when indoor air is hot and dry. Mealybugs nestle in the leaf sheath joints. Fungus gnats exploit waterlogged soil. Keep humidity high, water only when the top inch of soil is dry, and inspect weekly.

How do I get rid of spider mites on never never plant 'grey star'?

Pale stippling on the silvery-grey upper leaf surface; fine webbing on undersides; leaves curl and brown at edges Mist leaves and wipe undersides; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 7 days; move away from radiators

How do I get rid of mealybugs on never never plant 'grey star'?

White woolly deposits at leaf sheath bases and in stem forks; weakened stems; honeydew residue Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with a neem oil foliar spray; isolate plant from other calatheas and marantaceae

How do I get rid of fungus gnats on never never plant 'grey star'?

Larvae chew fine roots causing yellowing and wilting; adult gnats hover around the pot Let soil surface dry between waterings; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; use yellow sticky traps