What's eating my monstera siltepecana?

Monstera siltepecana, a compact climbing Monstera, is most often troubled by spider mites and mealybugs indoors. Its silvery, narrow leaves can mask early mite stippling, so inspect leaf undersides carefully. Thrips occasionally attack new growth. Like all aroids, it is at risk from fungus gnats if overwatered. Check monthly at minimum.

Pale silvery stippling on leaf surfaces (harder to spot on silvery leaves); fine webbing under leaves; leaves may yellow and become crispy at edges. Rinse the plant thoroughly and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to both leaf surfaces every 5–7 days for 3–4 treatments. Improve humidity to deter mites.

White cottony deposits at stem nodes and leaf axils; honeydew residue on leaf surfaces; affected areas yellow and growth stalls. Spot-treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, then follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays weekly for 3–4 weeks. Isolate the plant.

Silver or bronze streaking on young leaves; dark frass visible on undersides; new growth may emerge distorted or with brown leaf edges. Apply spinosad or insecticidal soap to all leaf surfaces weekly for 4–6 weeks. Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce adult populations.