Pest identification
What's eating my oxycardium?
Spider mites
Signs: Yellowing stippling on leaves, especially in dry winter rooms; webbing along the many trailing stems.
Control: Rinse under running water; spray all surfaces with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for 3–4 weeks; boost room humidity.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony colonies at stem nodes and in leaf axils; yellowing and slow growth.
Control: Use an alcohol swab on each colony; then spray with diluted neem oil on a 7–10 day schedule.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Small flies around soil; larvae damage fine roots, leading to wilting, yellowing lower leaves, and slow growth.
Control: Let soil dry further between waterings; apply Bti (e.g. Gnat Off or Mosquito Bits) as a soil drench; use yellow sticky traps for adults.
Keep oxycardium pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Oxycardium pests — FAQ
What is eating my oxycardium?
Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium — the classic heartleaf Philodendron — is one of the most common houseplants and a routine host for spider mites and mealybugs. Its tolerance of low light often leads to overwatering, which also brings fungus gnats. It is hardy and bounces back quickly from treatment.
How do I get rid of spider mites on oxycardium?
Yellowing stippling on leaves, especially in dry winter rooms; webbing along the many trailing stems. Rinse under running water; spray all surfaces with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for 3–4 weeks; boost room humidity.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on oxycardium?
White cottony colonies at stem nodes and in leaf axils; yellowing and slow growth. Use an alcohol swab on each colony; then spray with diluted neem oil on a 7–10 day schedule.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on oxycardium?
Small flies around soil; larvae damage fine roots, leading to wilting, yellowing lower leaves, and slow growth. Let soil dry further between waterings; apply Bti (e.g. Gnat Off or Mosquito Bits) as a soil drench; use yellow sticky traps for adults.