Pest identification
What's eating my bush hoya?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white masses in leaf joints and around flower buds; honeydew deposits causing sooty mold
Control: Isolate immediately; remove colonies with alcohol-dipped swab; apply insecticidal soap spray on a 7-day cycle for 3 weeks
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of small soft insects on new shoots and flower buds; distorted leaves; sticky residue
Control: Blast off with a strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; repeat weekly until clear
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or waxy bumps on older stems; leaf yellowing; reduced flowering
Control: Scrub off manually; treat with horticultural oil or rubbing-alcohol wipe; monitor monthly
Keep bush hoya pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Bush Hoya pests — FAQ
What is eating my bush hoya?
Bush Hoya is most vulnerable to mealybugs and aphids, which are drawn to its dense clusters of small leaves and tender new shoots. Scale insects occasionally settle on older stems. Consistent inspection and prompt treatment with insecticidal soap or neem oil keeps infestations manageable on this free-flowering species.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on bush hoya?
Cottony white masses in leaf joints and around flower buds; honeydew deposits causing sooty mold Isolate immediately; remove colonies with alcohol-dipped swab; apply insecticidal soap spray on a 7-day cycle for 3 weeks
How do I get rid of aphids on bush hoya?
Clusters of small soft insects on new shoots and flower buds; distorted leaves; sticky residue Blast off with a strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; repeat weekly until clear
How do I get rid of scale insects on bush hoya?
Hard or waxy bumps on older stems; leaf yellowing; reduced flowering Scrub off manually; treat with horticultural oil or rubbing-alcohol wipe; monitor monthly