Pest identification
What's eating my callisia repens 'gold'?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaves and trailing stems; foliage loses its golden colour
Control: Increase humidity, shower the plant to dislodge mites, then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy tufts at nodes and leaf joints; honeydew residue and weakened growth
Control: Remove manually with an alcohol-dipped swab, then treat the whole plant with neem oil spray
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae feed on fine roots; adults hover around compost surface
Control: Let the top inch of soil dry out; apply a BTi biological drench to kill larvae in the growing medium
Keep callisia repens 'gold' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Callisia Repens 'Gold' pests — FAQ
What is eating my callisia repens 'gold'?
Callisia repens 'Gold' faces the same indoor pest pressures as other Callisia cultivars. Spider mites are the chief threat, especially in heated rooms with low humidity. Mealybugs and fungus gnats round out the usual suspects. Regular inspection and keeping foliage dust-free go a long way toward prevention.
How do I get rid of spider mites on callisia repens 'gold'?
Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaves and trailing stems; foliage loses its golden colour Increase humidity, shower the plant to dislodge mites, then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on callisia repens 'gold'?
White waxy tufts at nodes and leaf joints; honeydew residue and weakened growth Remove manually with an alcohol-dipped swab, then treat the whole plant with neem oil spray
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on callisia repens 'gold'?
Larvae feed on fine roots; adults hover around compost surface Let the top inch of soil dry out; apply a BTi biological drench to kill larvae in the growing medium