Pest identification
What's eating my hoya lacunosa 'eskimo'?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white specks at nodes and where leaves meet stems; sticky honeydew and mold on small leaves
Control: Dab colonies with alcohol-soaked swabs; spray the whole plant with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale dots on leaf surfaces and fine webbing on undersides; damage escalates in dry, heated rooms
Control: Rinse foliage regularly; spray insecticidal soap to undersides; increase humidity around the plant to 50%+
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied insects on new growth tips; leaves curl inward and young shoots are stunted or distorted
Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 3–4 days until no aphids remain
Keep hoya lacunosa 'eskimo' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Hoya Lacunosa 'Eskimo' pests — FAQ
What is eating my hoya lacunosa 'eskimo'?
Hoya lacunosa 'Eskimo' is a compact fragrant hoya grown indoors. It is susceptible to mealybugs hiding in its small leaf clusters and spider mites in low-humidity indoor air. Aphids may appear on tender new shoots. Its smaller size means a single infestation can affect a large proportion of the plant rapidly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on hoya lacunosa 'eskimo'?
Cottony white specks at nodes and where leaves meet stems; sticky honeydew and mold on small leaves Dab colonies with alcohol-soaked swabs; spray the whole plant with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly
How do I get rid of spider mites on hoya lacunosa 'eskimo'?
Tiny pale dots on leaf surfaces and fine webbing on undersides; damage escalates in dry, heated rooms Rinse foliage regularly; spray insecticidal soap to undersides; increase humidity around the plant to 50%+
How do I get rid of aphids on hoya lacunosa 'eskimo'?
Soft-bodied insects on new growth tips; leaves curl inward and young shoots are stunted or distorted Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 3–4 days until no aphids remain