What's eating my ficus tineke (variegated rubber plant)?

Ficus Tineke is most troubled by spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects indoors. The pale cream-and-green variegation can mask early pest damage, so check leaf undersides and stem joints regularly. Sticky honeydew or webbing are your first warning signs.

Tiny pale stippling across leaves; fine webbing on undersides in heavy infestations Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7 days until clear

White cottony fluff at leaf axils and stem joints; leaves yellow and drop Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swab; drench soil if root mealybugs suspected; follow with neem oil spray

Hard or soft brown bumps on stems and midribs; sticky honeydew attracting sooty mold Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; treat with horticultural oil or systemic neem drench for persistent colonies