Pest identification
What's eating my mammy croton?
Spider mites
Signs: Stippling and bronzing inside the curled leaves; fine webbing visible when infestation is heavy
Control: Raise humidity to 50%+; carefully wash curled leaves with insecticidal soap solution; repeat every 5–7 days for a month
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters hidden deep within the curled leaves and along stem nodes; weakened, drooping growth
Control: Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to reach into curled areas; follow with neem oil spray on all surfaces
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy brown bumps on woody stems and midribs; honeydew and sooty mold on lower foliage
Control: Scrub off manually with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil; check again after 10–14 days for crawlers
Keep mammy croton pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Mammy Croton pests — FAQ
What is eating my mammy croton?
Mammy Croton, with its tightly curled dark foliage, is highly attractive to spider mites, which hide in the curled leaf surfaces. Mealybugs and scale are regular threats on its thick stems. The dense, cupped leaves make pest inspection harder — unfurl and check undersides carefully. Low humidity dramatically increases outbreak risk.
How do I get rid of spider mites on mammy croton?
Stippling and bronzing inside the curled leaves; fine webbing visible when infestation is heavy Raise humidity to 50%+; carefully wash curled leaves with insecticidal soap solution; repeat every 5–7 days for a month
How do I get rid of mealybugs on mammy croton?
White cottony clusters hidden deep within the curled leaves and along stem nodes; weakened, drooping growth Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to reach into curled areas; follow with neem oil spray on all surfaces
How do I get rid of scale insects on mammy croton?
Waxy brown bumps on woody stems and midribs; honeydew and sooty mold on lower foliage Scrub off manually with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil; check again after 10–14 days for crawlers