What's eating my ming aralia?

Ming aralia is most commonly attacked by spider mites and mealybugs indoors. Scale insects and aphids also appear occasionally. Inspect the feathery leaflets regularly as pests hide in the dense foliage. Sticky traps help catch early infestations, and a diluted neem oil spray is the go-to control for all four culprits.

Fine webbing between leaflets; foliage turns dusty, pale, or stippled yellow Rinse foliage with a strong water spray, then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days until clear

White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along stems; leaves yellow and drop Dab individual bugs with a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab; follow up with neem oil spray weekly for 3–4 weeks

Brown or tan bumps on stems; sticky honeydew on leaves, sometimes with sooty mold Scrape off with a soft toothbrush dipped in soapy water; treat with horticultural oil to smother remaining crawlers

Distorted new growth; clusters of soft insects on shoot tips; sticky residue Blast off with water, then apply insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 4–5 days until gone