What's eating my maranta bicolor?

Maranta bicolor, kept as a houseplant, shares the pest profile of its close relatives. Spider mites are the most frequent attacker, especially in dry indoor conditions. Mealybugs can colonise the dense leaf axils. Fungus gnats become a problem in constantly moist soil. Regular inspection and humidity control are key defences.

Fine pale stippling on upper leaf surface; webbing visible beneath leaves; leaves may yellow and drop in heavy infestations Shower the plant, raise humidity, and spray insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil to all leaf surfaces weekly for a month

White waxy cotton clusters at stem nodes and leaf bases; honeydew and sooty mould on leaves Spot-treat with rubbing alcohol, then follow with neem oil spray; repeat weekly and check new growth carefully

Root damage from larvae in wet soil causes yellowing and wilting; adult gnats fly around the plant and compost surface Let topsoil dry out between waterings, set yellow sticky traps, and use a Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) soil drench to kill larvae