What's eating my golden-net plant?

Golden-Net Plant (Stenandrium lindenii) is a rare, shade-loving foliage plant susceptible to the same common indoor pests as other tropical houseplants. Mealybugs are the primary threat, hiding in the leaf sheaths of its distinctive veined leaves. Scale insects and spider mites can also appear. Inspect monthly and treat any colony immediately with insecticidal soap.

White fluffy wax masses in leaf joints and at the base of the distinctive veined leaves; honeydew residue and weakened growth. Remove each colony with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab. Spray the whole plant with insecticidal soap and repeat every 10 days for three treatments.

Small hard brown bumps on stems and undersides of the decorative leaves; yellowing and reduced vigour. Scrape off adult scales with a soft toothbrush. Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton pad to remaining crawlers, then treat with insecticidal soap.

Pale stippling on the ornate patterned leaf surface; fine webbing in very dry conditions with low humidity. Increase humidity around the plant. Rinse foliage carefully and apply insecticidal soap spray to leaf undersides. Repeat weekly until stippling stops.