What's eating my peperomia angulata?

Peperomia angulata (radiator plant) is a popular trailing houseplant with dark-striped oval leaves. Mealybugs are its most common pest, hiding along the stems. Spider mites strike in dry indoor air. Fungus gnats are attracted to overwatered soil. Its compact bushy growth means pests can spread through the plant quickly if unchecked.

White fluffy deposits at leaf axils and stem nodes; honeydew makes leaves sticky; growth slows and leaves may drop Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7–10 days; isolate from other plants

Pale stippling on striped leaves; thin webbing between stems; damage worsens in low humidity or near radiators Move plant away from heat sources; mist regularly; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly until infestation clears

Larvae chew fine roots in moist soil; adults hover near the pot; plants may wilt despite adequate moisture Water only when the top inch of soil is dry; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench to kill larvae in the soil