Pest identification
What's eating my homalomena selby?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; leaves lose lustre and curl
Control: Shower plant regularly; run a humidifier nearby; spray insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil onto undersides weekly
Mealybugs
Signs: White powdery tufts at leaf bases and in axils; sticky honeydew; slowed growth
Control: Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol swab; spray entire plant with neem oil solution; isolate from other plants
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown fixed bumps on stems and petioles; yellowing leaves; sticky surfaces
Control: Manually scrape off and dispose; treat with horticultural oil spray; check monthly and retreat as needed
Keep homalomena selby pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Homalomena Selby pests — FAQ
What is eating my homalomena selby?
Homalomena 'Selby' is a robust tropical aroid whose main indoor pest is spider mites, which explode in warm dry air. Mealybugs lodge in leaf axils and sheaths, and scale insects occasionally encrust the stems. Keep humidity above 50%, wipe leaves every few weeks, and catch infestations early before they spread.
How do I get rid of spider mites on homalomena selby?
Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; leaves lose lustre and curl Shower plant regularly; run a humidifier nearby; spray insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil onto undersides weekly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on homalomena selby?
White powdery tufts at leaf bases and in axils; sticky honeydew; slowed growth Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol swab; spray entire plant with neem oil solution; isolate from other plants
How do I get rid of scale insects on homalomena selby?
Small brown fixed bumps on stems and petioles; yellowing leaves; sticky surfaces Manually scrape off and dispose; treat with horticultural oil spray; check monthly and retreat as needed