Pest identification
What's eating my hoya erythrina?
Mealybugs
Signs: Waxy white fluff at stem nodes and leaf axils; sticky honeydew, ants attracted to it, and eventual sooty mould.
Control: Treat with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab, then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray to the full plant weekly.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale flecking across the leaf blade with webbing on the reverse; foliage dulls and may yellow or curl.
Control: Shower foliage to remove mites and raise humidity; follow with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days.
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft shell-like bumps along stems; sap drain causes slow leaf yellowing and reduced vigour.
Control: Scrub scales off with a soft brush and alcohol, then treat with horticultural oil every two weeks until gone.
Keep hoya erythrina pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Hoya Erythrina pests — FAQ
What is eating my hoya erythrina?
Hoya erythrina, known for its distinctive leaf venation, is a tropical hoya grown as a houseplant. Mealybugs are its most likely pest, nestling at nodes and along stems. Spider mites can also appear in dry conditions. Regularly checking the undersides of leaves and stem joints helps catch problems before they escalate.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on hoya erythrina?
Waxy white fluff at stem nodes and leaf axils; sticky honeydew, ants attracted to it, and eventual sooty mould. Treat with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab, then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray to the full plant weekly.
How do I get rid of spider mites on hoya erythrina?
Fine pale flecking across the leaf blade with webbing on the reverse; foliage dulls and may yellow or curl. Shower foliage to remove mites and raise humidity; follow with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days.
How do I get rid of scale insects on hoya erythrina?
Hard or soft shell-like bumps along stems; sap drain causes slow leaf yellowing and reduced vigour. Scrub scales off with a soft brush and alcohol, then treat with horticultural oil every two weeks until gone.