What's eating my hoya undulata?

Hoya undulata is a rarer species with wavy-edged leaves grown as a collector houseplant. Like all indoor hoyas, mealybugs are its most likely pest, settling into the leaf undulations where they are difficult to spot. Spider mites and aphids can also establish in warm, dry rooms. Early detection is key.

White waxy residue hiding in the undulating leaf margins and stem joints; honeydew drip leads to fungal mould. Use an alcohol-dampened swab to reach into wave-shaped leaf edges; spray the whole plant with insecticidal soap weekly for 3–4 weeks.

Pale yellow speckling on the leaf surface with faint webbing below; most noticeable in low-humidity winter conditions. Raise humidity and wipe leaves; apply diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days until resolved.

Clusters on tender new growth; shoots may curl or pucker, with sticky deposits on leaves below. Rinse with water to remove bulk of colony; follow with weekly insecticidal soap spray until clear.