What's eating my goeppertia orbifolia?

Goeppertia orbifolia's large, silver-striped leaves make pest damage very visible. Spider mites are the most frequent attacker, especially in low humidity. Mealybugs colonise stem bases and leaf axils, and scale can appear on the thick petioles. Regular leaf-wiping and consistent humidity above 50% dramatically reduce infestation risk.

Bronze-yellow stippling across the broad leaf surface; webbing on undersides; leaves look dusty and lose vibrancy. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, increase ambient humidity, and spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for 3 rounds.

White cottony masses at the base of petioles and in axils; honeydew drips attract sooty mould. Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a swab to colonies, then treat the whole plant with diluted neem oil. Repeat after 10–14 days.

Hard brown bumps on thick petioles and stems; slow sap loss causes yellowing and general plant decline. Manually scrape scale off with a soft brush, then apply horticultural oil. Check monthly and re-treat any survivors.