What's eating my ficus pumila 'minima'?

Ficus pumila 'Minima' (miniature creeping fig) is small-leaved and dense, making it a favored hiding place for scale insects and spider mites indoors. The tight mat of foliage means pests can build up undetected. Inspect stems and leaf undersides closely. Scale insects are the single most damaging threat to this tiny-leaved ficus.

Brown shell-like bumps on stems and leaf undersides; general yellowing, wilting, and sticky honeydew coating leaves. Use a soft brush with rubbing alcohol to dislodge scales; apply horticultural oil spray every 2 weeks for 6–8 weeks.

Fine webbing across the dense mat of tiny leaves; leaves develop silvery or bronze discolouration and drop. Increase humidity and air circulation; spray thoroughly with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days.

White waxy cottony spots at nodes and in the dense leaf canopy; ants attracted to honeydew are a sign. Dab with isopropyl alcohol; treat the whole plant with neem oil spray, working it deep into the foliage mat.