Pest identification
What's eating my stromanthe 'multicolor'?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling dulls the colourful leaf pattern; fine webbing appears on undersides; leaf edges brown and curl in heavy infestations.
Control: Increase ambient humidity; group with other plants or use a humidifier. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on both leaf surfaces every 5–7 days for 3 weeks.
Mealybugs
Signs: White woolly clusters at stem junctions and leaf bases; honeydew drip, sooty mould and slowed growth follow.
Control: Treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs directly on colonies. Apply neem oil spray weekly across the whole plant until no new colonies appear.
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown or soft waxy bumps on petioles and stems; persistent feeding causes yellowing and leaf drop.
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil spray every 2 weeks for 6–8 weeks to eliminate crawlers.
Keep stromanthe 'multicolor' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Stromanthe 'Multicolor' pests — FAQ
What is eating my stromanthe 'multicolor'?
Stromanthe 'Multicolor' shares the same indoor pest profile as other Stromanthe cultivars. Spider mites are the most frequent problem, triggered by dry, heated indoor air. Its multi-toned leaves make discolouration easy to spot. Maintain high humidity year-round and inspect leaf undersides at every watering.
How do I get rid of spider mites on stromanthe 'multicolor'?
Fine stippling dulls the colourful leaf pattern; fine webbing appears on undersides; leaf edges brown and curl in heavy infestations. Increase ambient humidity; group with other plants or use a humidifier. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on both leaf surfaces every 5–7 days for 3 weeks.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on stromanthe 'multicolor'?
White woolly clusters at stem junctions and leaf bases; honeydew drip, sooty mould and slowed growth follow. Treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs directly on colonies. Apply neem oil spray weekly across the whole plant until no new colonies appear.
How do I get rid of scale insects on stromanthe 'multicolor'?
Hard brown or soft waxy bumps on petioles and stems; persistent feeding causes yellowing and leaf drop. Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil spray every 2 weeks for 6–8 weeks to eliminate crawlers.