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:
- What eats lipstick vine — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common lipstick plant 'mona lisa' problems & fixes
- Lipstick Plant 'Mona Lisa' watering schedule
- Lipstick Plant 'Mona Lisa' light requirements
- Full lipstick plant 'mona lisa' care guide
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