What's eating my hoya krimson queen?

Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' is most susceptible to mealybugs, which target the plant's thick, fleshy leaves and crowded nodes. Scale insects and spider mites are secondary threats. The cream-variegated leaf margins can obscure early pest damage, so inspect stems and leaf joints closely every 2 weeks.

White cottony masses tucked in stem joints, at the base of petioles, and inside new unfurling leaves; sticky honeydew on foliage. Spot-treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs immediately. Follow up with a neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 7 days for at least 3 cycles. Isolate the plant.

Tan or brown bumps firmly attached to stems and mid-veins; yellowing or bronzing of leaves; sooty mold on honeydew deposits. Scrape scales off with a soft toothbrush, then swab with alcohol. Spray with horticultural oil or neem oil weekly for 3–4 weeks to catch crawlers.

Stippled, pale or silvery patches on leaf surfaces; fine webbing in leaf axils; worsens sharply in dry, centrally heated rooms. Increase humidity, shower the plant to dislodge mites, and apply neem oil to both leaf surfaces every 5–7 days. Avoid letting the plant dry out completely between waterings.