Pest identification
What's eating my justicia aurea?
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on new shoots and flower buds; honeydew causes sooty mould; can distort developing inflorescences
Control: Blast off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage natural predators such as ladybirds
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling and webbing on leaf undersides, especially in dry or container conditions; foliage yellows
Control: Raise humidity; apply neem oil or miticide spray every 7 days for 3–4 treatments
Mealybugs
Signs: Fluffy white clusters at stem joints; weakened growth and sticky deposits attracting mould
Control: Remove manually with alcohol swabs; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly
Whitefly
Signs: Adults cloud around foliage when disturbed; nymphs on undersides drain sap and deposit honeydew
Control: Use yellow sticky traps to catch adults; spray leaf undersides with insecticidal soap every 5–7 days
Keep justicia aurea pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Justicia aurea pests — FAQ
What is eating my justicia aurea?
Justicia aurea (yellow jacobinia) is a vigorous tropical shrub grown outdoors in frost-free gardens or as a large houseplant. Spider mites and mealybugs are the top indoor threats; outdoors, aphids swarm the lush soft stems and whitefly can colonise leaf undersides in sheltered spots. Regular scouting keeps outbreaks manageable.
How do I get rid of aphids on justicia aurea?
Dense colonies on new shoots and flower buds; honeydew causes sooty mould; can distort developing inflorescences Blast off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage natural predators such as ladybirds
How do I get rid of spider mites on justicia aurea?
Fine stippling and webbing on leaf undersides, especially in dry or container conditions; foliage yellows Raise humidity; apply neem oil or miticide spray every 7 days for 3–4 treatments
How do I get rid of mealybugs on justicia aurea?
Fluffy white clusters at stem joints; weakened growth and sticky deposits attracting mould Remove manually with alcohol swabs; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly
How do I get rid of whitefly on justicia aurea?
Adults cloud around foliage when disturbed; nymphs on undersides drain sap and deposit honeydew Use yellow sticky traps to catch adults; spray leaf undersides with insecticidal soap every 5–7 days