Pest identification
What's eating my serpens wax plant?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy fluff at nodes and in the hairy leaf texture; honeydew and sooty mould; stunted new leaves
Control: Carefully dab each colony with an isopropyl alcohol swab; spray with diluted neem oil weekly, taking care not to oversaturate the hairy leaves
Spider mites
Signs: Silvery stippling on the velvety leaf surface; webbing on undersides; leaves may bronze and drop
Control: Increase humidity significantly; shower to dislodge mites; apply insecticidal soap, repeating every 5–7 days until clear
Aphids
Signs: Soft insects on new growth buds and flower clusters; distorted leaves and sticky honeydew deposits
Control: Remove manually or with a gentle water spray; treat with insecticidal soap every few days until resolved
Keep serpens wax plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Serpens Wax Plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my serpens wax plant?
Serpens wax plant (Hoya serpens) is a delicate, small-leaved Hoya most at risk from mealybugs and spider mites. Its velvety, hairy leaf texture can trap pests and make them harder to remove. Check undersides of leaves and stem nodes carefully. High humidity helps deter mites on this moisture-loving species.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on serpens wax plant?
White waxy fluff at nodes and in the hairy leaf texture; honeydew and sooty mould; stunted new leaves Carefully dab each colony with an isopropyl alcohol swab; spray with diluted neem oil weekly, taking care not to oversaturate the hairy leaves
How do I get rid of spider mites on serpens wax plant?
Silvery stippling on the velvety leaf surface; webbing on undersides; leaves may bronze and drop Increase humidity significantly; shower to dislodge mites; apply insecticidal soap, repeating every 5–7 days until clear
How do I get rid of aphids on serpens wax plant?
Soft insects on new growth buds and flower clusters; distorted leaves and sticky honeydew deposits Remove manually or with a gentle water spray; treat with insecticidal soap every few days until resolved