Pest identification
What's eating my square leaf hoya?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy deposits at stem nodes and under leaves; honeydew leading to sooty mold; growth distortion
Control: Swab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap on a 7-day cycle; maintain quarantine until clear
Spider mites
Signs: Bronze or yellow stippling on leaf surfaces; fine silky webbing; leaves desiccate in severe cases
Control: Boost humidity; rinse leaves; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until resolved
Scale insects
Signs: Hard waxy bumps on stems and midribs; sticky residue; gradual yellowing and leaf drop
Control: Remove scales manually; clean with rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil and monitor fortnightly
Keep square leaf hoya pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Square Leaf Hoya pests — FAQ
What is eating my square leaf hoya?
Hoya rotundiflora is susceptible to the same indoor pests that trouble most hoyas: mealybugs are the primary threat, sheltering in leaf axils and on stems. Spider mites thrive in low humidity. Scale can colonise older wood. Consistent monitoring and prompt treatment with isopropyl alcohol or insecticidal soap keeps this tropical healthy.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on square leaf hoya?
White fluffy deposits at stem nodes and under leaves; honeydew leading to sooty mold; growth distortion Swab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap on a 7-day cycle; maintain quarantine until clear
How do I get rid of spider mites on square leaf hoya?
Bronze or yellow stippling on leaf surfaces; fine silky webbing; leaves desiccate in severe cases Boost humidity; rinse leaves; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until resolved
How do I get rid of scale insects on square leaf hoya?
Hard waxy bumps on stems and midribs; sticky residue; gradual yellowing and leaf drop Remove scales manually; clean with rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil and monitor fortnightly