Pest identification
What's eating my grape ivy?
Spider mites
Signs: Silvery or yellowish stippling on leaf surfaces, fine webbing on undersides, leaf shed
Control: Shower plant thoroughly; raise humidity around the pot; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until clear
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony patches in leaf axils and along stems; honeydew causing sticky deposits
Control: Wipe off with alcohol swab; follow up with a neem oil spray every 7 days for 3 weeks
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan dome-shaped bumps on stems; yellowing leaves; sticky honeydew
Control: Scrape off scales with a soft toothbrush or cloth; treat with horticultural oil; repeat after 10 days
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of soft insects on new growth; distorted leaves and sticky residue
Control: Remove by hand or with a strong water rinse; apply insecticidal soap spray; check weekly
Keep grape ivy pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Grape Ivy pests — FAQ
What is eating my grape ivy?
Grape Ivy's most persistent enemy is spider mites, which cause a dusty, silvery cast on leaves. Mealybugs colonise the dense, climbing stems, while scale insects attach to older woody growth. Aphids occasionally target soft new tendrils. Good air circulation is the first line of defence.
How do I get rid of spider mites on grape ivy?
Silvery or yellowish stippling on leaf surfaces, fine webbing on undersides, leaf shed Shower plant thoroughly; raise humidity around the pot; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until clear
How do I get rid of mealybugs on grape ivy?
White cottony patches in leaf axils and along stems; honeydew causing sticky deposits Wipe off with alcohol swab; follow up with a neem oil spray every 7 days for 3 weeks
How do I get rid of scale insects on grape ivy?
Brown or tan dome-shaped bumps on stems; yellowing leaves; sticky honeydew Scrape off scales with a soft toothbrush or cloth; treat with horticultural oil; repeat after 10 days
How do I get rid of aphids on grape ivy?
Clusters of soft insects on new growth; distorted leaves and sticky residue Remove by hand or with a strong water rinse; apply insecticidal soap spray; check weekly