What's eating my episcia lilacina?

Episcia lilacina is a trailing gesneriad houseplant that shares the pest profile of the Episcia genus. Mealybugs are the most common nuisance, exploiting the plant's velvety, textured leaves and dense stolons. Spider mites colonise plants if indoor air becomes too dry. Whitefly can appear in warm growing rooms. High humidity is the best preventive measure.

White waxy fluff at leaf axils and stolon nodes; sap loss weakens the plant, causing pale, stunted foliage. Dab individual mealybugs with rubbing alcohol on a swab; follow up with neem oil spray across the whole plant.

Pale stippling and fine webbing on undersides of leaves, most frequent when air is dry and warm. Increase humidity to 60%+ ; spray undersides with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until clear.

Clouds of tiny white insects fly up when foliage is disturbed; honeydew and sooty mould coat lower leaves. Hang yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, targeting leaf undersides; repeat at 5-day intervals.