What's eating my hoya engleriana?

Hoya engleriana is a miniature hoya houseplant with tiny leaves, making pest detection tricky. Mealybugs are the primary threat — their waxy coating lets them hide easily on small foliage. Spider mites and aphids can also colonize stressed plants. Examine leaf clusters with a magnifying glass during routine care.

White woolly clusters tucked between small leaves and at stem joints; stunted new growth and sticky residue Carefully dab each colony with rubbing alcohol; apply neem oil spray to the whole plant; repeat every 7 days

Silvery leaf speckling and very fine webbing, especially in warm, dry indoor air Rinse foliage gently; treat with insecticidal soap targeting undersides; maintain higher humidity to deter re-infestation

Soft green or black insects clustered on tender new shoots; leaves curl and new growth appears distorted Knock off with a gentle water stream; apply insecticidal soap spray; introduce beneficial insects if in a greenhouse setting