Pest identification
What's eating my hoya picta?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits in leaf axils and along petioles; sticky honeydew and weakened stems
Control: Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol swab; spray entire plant with neem oil solution weekly for 4 weeks
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and dulling of leaf markings; fine webbing beneath leaves in dry conditions
Control: Shower foliage with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for three rounds
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft shell-like bumps on stems and midribs; leaves yellow and drop with heavy infestations
Control: Scrape off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil or 70% alcohol and repeat monthly until absent
Keep hoya picta pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Hoya Picta pests — FAQ
What is eating my hoya picta?
Hoya picta's beautifully patterned leaves are a target for mealybugs, which exploit the leaf variegation patterns and stem crevices to hide. Spider mites and scale can also take hold, particularly in warm, dry rooms. Inspect leaves front and back at least fortnightly and act fast at the first sign of pests.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on hoya picta?
Cottony white deposits in leaf axils and along petioles; sticky honeydew and weakened stems Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol swab; spray entire plant with neem oil solution weekly for 4 weeks
How do I get rid of spider mites on hoya picta?
Pale stippling and dulling of leaf markings; fine webbing beneath leaves in dry conditions Shower foliage with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for three rounds
How do I get rid of scale insects on hoya picta?
Hard or soft shell-like bumps on stems and midribs; leaves yellow and drop with heavy infestations Scrape off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil or 70% alcohol and repeat monthly until absent