What's eating my green prayer plant?

The Green Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura var. leuconeura) is most plagued by spider mites, especially in heated indoor air. Mealybugs and aphids also attack. Its decorative leaves show stippling and distortion clearly. Regular humidity misting, clean leaves, and early treatment with neem oil or insecticidal soap keep this plant healthy.

Pale stippling or bleaching across leaf surface, fine webbing on undersides, and premature leaf drop in severe cases Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, increase humidity, and spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for 3–4 weeks

White fluffy masses at leaf axils and along stems; sticky honeydew and slow, stunted growth Dab with alcohol-soaked cotton, follow with neem oil spray to all surfaces; isolate the plant and repeat weekly

Clusters of small soft insects on new shoots and undersides; curled or puckered new growth; sticky honeydew residue Knock off with a strong water stream, then treat with insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 3–5 days until clear