Pest identification
What's eating my hoya callistophylla?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses at petiole junctions and in stem crevices; sticky honeydew, slowed growth
Control: Dab each colony with isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with neem oil solution; repeat every 7 days for a month
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan oval bumps fixed to stems and mid-ribs; leaves yellow as sap is extracted
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat monthly
Spider mites
Signs: Fine speckling and faint webbing on the undersides of the ornately veined leaves
Control: Raise humidity, rinse foliage, treat with insecticidal soap spray on a weekly schedule
Keep hoya callistophylla pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Hoya callistophylla pests — FAQ
What is eating my hoya callistophylla?
Hoya callistophylla is an indoor succulent-leaved vining houseplant primarily troubled by mealybugs sheltering in its waxy leaf axils and along stems, and by scale insects clinging to woody growth. Spider mites can occur in very dry air. Its thick foliage masks early infestations, so inspect stems closely.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on hoya callistophylla?
White cottony masses at petiole junctions and in stem crevices; sticky honeydew, slowed growth Dab each colony with isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with neem oil solution; repeat every 7 days for a month
How do I get rid of scale insects on hoya callistophylla?
Brown or tan oval bumps fixed to stems and mid-ribs; leaves yellow as sap is extracted Scrape off with a soft toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat monthly
How do I get rid of spider mites on hoya callistophylla?
Fine speckling and faint webbing on the undersides of the ornately veined leaves Raise humidity, rinse foliage, treat with insecticidal soap spray on a weekly schedule