What's eating my hoya latifolia?

Hoya latifolia, with its large, broad leaves, is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, and scale — all common indoor hoya pests. Its big leaf surfaces show mite stippling clearly, but mealybugs can lurk where the petiole meets the stem. Fungus gnats may also appear if the chunky epiphyte mix stays too damp.

White woolly clusters at petiole bases and stem nodes; sticky honeydew drip and leaf yellowing Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly for 3–4 weeks

Yellow or bronze stippling across large leaf surfaces; webbing on undersides in low-humidity rooms Wipe leaves with damp cloth; raise humidity; spray with insecticidal soap every 5–7 days

Brown domed bumps along midribs and stems; sap-sucking weakens new growth Scrape off scales; apply horticultural oil or neem, repeating every two weeks

Root damage by larvae in wet, organic-rich media; adult gnats flying around the plant Allow medium to dry between waterings; use sticky yellow traps; drench with Bti for larvae