Pest identification
What's eating my dwarf lipstick vine?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew and sooty mold
Control: Dab individual colonies with a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab; follow up with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling on leaves, webbing on undersides, leaves turn pale and dull in dry conditions
Control: Raise humidity, rinse plant with a strong water spray, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied clusters on new growth; distorted shoot tips and sticky residue
Control: Blast off with water, then treat with insecticidal soap; check for ants that may be farming them
Keep dwarf lipstick vine pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
dwarf lipstick vine pests — FAQ
What is eating my dwarf lipstick vine?
Dwarf lipstick vine is most commonly attacked by mealybugs and spider mites indoors. Mealybugs cluster in leaf axils and stem joints; mites thrive in dry air. Inspect leaf undersides regularly, keep humidity up, and treat early with isopropyl alcohol swabs or insecticidal soap before populations spread.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on dwarf lipstick vine?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew and sooty mold Dab individual colonies with a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab; follow up with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of spider mites on dwarf lipstick vine?
Fine stippling on leaves, webbing on undersides, leaves turn pale and dull in dry conditions Raise humidity, rinse plant with a strong water spray, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of aphids on dwarf lipstick vine?
Soft-bodied clusters on new growth; distorted shoot tips and sticky residue Blast off with water, then treat with insecticidal soap; check for ants that may be farming them