Pest identification
What's eating my firecracker plant?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters at stem joints and in leaf axils; stunted growth; sticky, sooty deposit on leaves
Control: Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until clear; check roots for root mealybugs
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing; pale, bronzed leaf surfaces; stippled appearance; leaf drop in severe cases
Control: Increase humidity; rinse foliage with water; apply neem oil or miticide spray, covering undersides of leaves
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of small soft insects on new shoots and flower buds; curled, sticky leaves; sooty mold
Control: Blast off with a stream of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat until population collapses
Keep firecracker plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Firecracker plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my firecracker plant?
Gesneria cuneifolia (Firecracker plant) is a Caribbean gesneriad grown indoors or in tropical gardens. Mealybugs are the chief pest, sheltering in leaf axils. Spider mites appear in hot, dry conditions. Aphids occasionally target new growth and flower buds. Good humidity and airflow keep most infestations in check.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on firecracker plant?
Cottony white clusters at stem joints and in leaf axils; stunted growth; sticky, sooty deposit on leaves Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until clear; check roots for root mealybugs
How do I get rid of spider mites on firecracker plant?
Fine webbing; pale, bronzed leaf surfaces; stippled appearance; leaf drop in severe cases Increase humidity; rinse foliage with water; apply neem oil or miticide spray, covering undersides of leaves
How do I get rid of aphids on firecracker plant?
Clusters of small soft insects on new shoots and flower buds; curled, sticky leaves; sooty mold Blast off with a stream of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat until population collapses