Pest identification
What's eating my wax plant?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses in leaf axils, on stems, and near flower spurs; honeydew, yellowing leaves
Control: Remove with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow up with neem oil spray every 7 days for a month
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing, dusty stippled patches on leaf surfaces; leaves may look dull and dry
Control: Shower the plant under lukewarm water, raise humidity, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of small soft insects on tender new leaves and developing flower buds; sticky honeydew
Control: Blast with water spray, then use insecticidal soap; repeat every few days until the colony collapses
Keep wax plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Wax plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my wax plant?
Hoya carnosa is most troubled by mealybugs, which shelter in the waxy leaf axils and along twining stems. Spider mites strike in warm, dry rooms. Aphids occasionally target soft new growth near flower spurs. Catching problems early matters — check the plant every time you water and treat with neem oil or isopropyl alcohol.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on wax plant?
White cottony masses in leaf axils, on stems, and near flower spurs; honeydew, yellowing leaves Remove with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow up with neem oil spray every 7 days for a month
How do I get rid of spider mites on wax plant?
Fine webbing, dusty stippled patches on leaf surfaces; leaves may look dull and dry Shower the plant under lukewarm water, raise humidity, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of aphids on wax plant?
Clusters of small soft insects on tender new leaves and developing flower buds; sticky honeydew Blast with water spray, then use insecticidal soap; repeat every few days until the colony collapses