Pest identification
What's eating my goeppertia medallion?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale yellow stippling on the green upper leaf; webbing on the signature purple undersides; leaves curl at edges.
Control: Shower the plant, raise humidity to 60%+, and spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for 3–4 applications.
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters hidden in leaf axils and along the midrib; sticky honeydew and slow growth.
Control: Swab with isopropyl alcohol, isolate the plant, and follow up with neem oil spray. Monitor for two weeks after last sighting.
Thrips
Signs: Silvery streaks and small dark frass deposits on leaf surfaces; edges may become ragged or curl under.
Control: Remove affected leaves, apply insecticidal soap or spinosad spray weekly, and use yellow sticky traps to monitor adult flight.
Keep goeppertia medallion pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Goeppertia Medallion pests — FAQ
What is eating my goeppertia medallion?
Goeppertia 'Medallion' (Calathea medallion) is a popular indoor tropical frequently troubled by spider mites — the most reported pest on this cultivar. The large, rounded leaves with purple undersides make damage very easy to spot. Mealybugs and thrips also occur. Keeping humidity high and air circulation gentle is the key defence.
How do I get rid of spider mites on goeppertia medallion?
Pale yellow stippling on the green upper leaf; webbing on the signature purple undersides; leaves curl at edges. Shower the plant, raise humidity to 60%+, and spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for 3–4 applications.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on goeppertia medallion?
Cottony white clusters hidden in leaf axils and along the midrib; sticky honeydew and slow growth. Swab with isopropyl alcohol, isolate the plant, and follow up with neem oil spray. Monitor for two weeks after last sighting.
How do I get rid of thrips on goeppertia medallion?
Silvery streaks and small dark frass deposits on leaf surfaces; edges may become ragged or curl under. Remove affected leaves, apply insecticidal soap or spinosad spray weekly, and use yellow sticky traps to monitor adult flight.