Growli

Pest identification

What's eating my lipstick plant 'mona lisa'?

Spider mites

Signs: Pale speckling on leaves; fine webbing along trailing stems; foliage eventually turns bronze and drops

Control: Shower plant to knock off mites; raise humidity; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for 3 treatments

Mealybugs

Signs: White cottony deposits at nodes and in the axils of the thick leaves; plant growth slows

Control: Remove with alcohol-dampened swab; follow with weekly neem oil spray; isolate from other plants

Aphids

Signs: Clustered on soft new shoot tips; cause curling and distortion; deposit sticky honeydew

Control: Knock off with a strong water spray; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat after 5 days

Keep lipstick plant 'mona lisa' pest-free

Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:

Lipstick Plant 'Mona Lisa' pests — FAQ

What is eating my lipstick plant 'mona lisa'?

Aeschynanthus radicans 'Mona Lisa' is a trailing indoor lipstick plant. Spider mites are the most damaging pest, thriving in the warm, dry air typical of indoor environments. Mealybugs settle in stem nodes and leaf axils. Aphids occasionally attack new growth. Consistent humidity and good drainage prevent most issues.

How do I get rid of spider mites on lipstick plant 'mona lisa'?

Pale speckling on leaves; fine webbing along trailing stems; foliage eventually turns bronze and drops Shower plant to knock off mites; raise humidity; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days for 3 treatments

How do I get rid of mealybugs on lipstick plant 'mona lisa'?

White cottony deposits at nodes and in the axils of the thick leaves; plant growth slows Remove with alcohol-dampened swab; follow with weekly neem oil spray; isolate from other plants

How do I get rid of aphids on lipstick plant 'mona lisa'?

Clustered on soft new shoot tips; cause curling and distortion; deposit sticky honeydew Knock off with a strong water spray; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat after 5 days