Pest identification
What's eating my ficus pumila 'variegata'?
Scale insects
Signs: Tiny hard or soft brown bumps on stems and along leaf midribs; leaves yellow and drop; sticky honeydew.
Control: Scrub off with a soft toothbrush and rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray every 2 weeks until clear.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on small leaves; variegated areas may appear more blanched than usual.
Control: Raise humidity; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days, focusing on undersides.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony deposits in leaf axils; honeydew on surfaces and black sooty mould may develop.
Control: Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray every 10–14 days until eradicated.
Keep ficus pumila 'variegata' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ficus pumila 'Variegata' pests — FAQ
What is eating my ficus pumila 'variegata'?
Ficus pumila 'Variegata' (variegated creeping fig) is susceptible to spider mites and scale insects — the same pests that trouble other fig family members indoors. The small variegated leaves make spotting scale bumps tricky. Mealybugs occasionally settle in leaf axils. Check every leaf node monthly and treat at first sign.
How do I get rid of scale insects on ficus pumila 'variegata'?
Tiny hard or soft brown bumps on stems and along leaf midribs; leaves yellow and drop; sticky honeydew. Scrub off with a soft toothbrush and rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray every 2 weeks until clear.
How do I get rid of spider mites on ficus pumila 'variegata'?
Pale stippling and fine webbing on small leaves; variegated areas may appear more blanched than usual. Raise humidity; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days, focusing on undersides.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on ficus pumila 'variegata'?
White cottony deposits in leaf axils; honeydew on surfaces and black sooty mould may develop. Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray every 10–14 days until eradicated.