Pest identification
What's eating my flame violet?
Cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus)
Signs: New leaves emerge severely cupped, distorted, and bronzed; growth at the crown is stunted; mites invisible to the naked eye.
Control: Discard badly infested plants; isolate immediately; for mild cases apply predatory mite (Neoseiulus cucumeris); avoid overhead watering.
Mealybug
Signs: White cottony colonies along stolons, in leaf axils, and at the crown; slow growth and leaf yellowing.
Control: Dab with alcohol swab; apply neem oil; remove and propagate only clean stolons when taking cuttings.
Fungus gnat
Signs: Adult gnats hover at soil level; larvae in the moist peat-based mix chew fine roots, causing slow decline.
Control: Allow top inch of compost to dry slightly; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; use sticky yellow traps for monitoring.
Keep flame violet pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Flame violet pests — FAQ
What is eating my flame violet?
Flame violet (Episcia cupreata) is a low-growing tropical gesneriad grown primarily as a houseplant. Its greatest pest threat is cyclamen mite, which distorts the velvety new leaves. Mealybugs shelter in the stolons and leaf joints. Fungus gnats breed in the moist peaty compost it prefers. Keep humidity high but avoid crown wetting.
How do I get rid of cyclamen mite (phytonemus pallidus) on flame violet?
New leaves emerge severely cupped, distorted, and bronzed; growth at the crown is stunted; mites invisible to the naked eye. Discard badly infested plants; isolate immediately; for mild cases apply predatory mite (Neoseiulus cucumeris); avoid overhead watering.
How do I get rid of mealybug on flame violet?
White cottony colonies along stolons, in leaf axils, and at the crown; slow growth and leaf yellowing. Dab with alcohol swab; apply neem oil; remove and propagate only clean stolons when taking cuttings.
How do I get rid of fungus gnat on flame violet?
Adult gnats hover at soil level; larvae in the moist peat-based mix chew fine roots, causing slow decline. Allow top inch of compost to dry slightly; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; use sticky yellow traps for monitoring.