Pest identification
What's eating my monstera laniata?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale speckling across leaf surface; webbing on undersides and around fenestrations
Control: Shower the plant with water; maintain high humidity; use neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy tufts inside fenestrations and at leaf-stem joints; leaves sticky with honeydew
Control: Reach inside holes with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab; follow with weekly neem oil spray for 3–4 weeks
Thrips
Signs: Silver streaks and tiny dark droppings on leaf surfaces; new leaves emerge distorted
Control: Apply spinosad or insecticidal soap weekly; use blue sticky traps; remove badly damaged foliage
Keep monstera laniata pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Monstera Laniata pests — FAQ
What is eating my monstera laniata?
Monstera laniata (sometimes classified under M. adansonii) is a fenestrated climbing aroid vulnerable indoors to spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips. The holes in the leaves can harbour mealybug colonies out of sight. Low humidity is the primary driver of spider mite outbreaks. Regular leaf showers and humidity above 60% prevent most issues.
How do I get rid of spider mites on monstera laniata?
Fine pale speckling across leaf surface; webbing on undersides and around fenestrations Shower the plant with water; maintain high humidity; use neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of mealybugs on monstera laniata?
White waxy tufts inside fenestrations and at leaf-stem joints; leaves sticky with honeydew Reach inside holes with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab; follow with weekly neem oil spray for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of thrips on monstera laniata?
Silver streaks and tiny dark droppings on leaf surfaces; new leaves emerge distorted Apply spinosad or insecticidal soap weekly; use blue sticky traps; remove badly damaged foliage