Pest identification
What's eating my peperomia caperata 'teresa'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf crevices and stem joints; leaves yellow and plant weakens.
Control: Dab with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with diluted neem oil every 7–10 days; isolate the plant immediately.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Tiny black flies around soil; larvae chew roots causing wilting and poor growth.
Control: Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry between waterings; apply sticky yellow traps; treat soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) or a dilute hydrogen peroxide drench.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on stems; stippled, dull foliage; leaves may drop in heavy infestations.
Control: Increase humidity, rinse foliage with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly until clear.
Keep peperomia caperata 'teresa' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats emerald ripple peperomia — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common peperomia caperata 'teresa' problems & fixes
- Peperomia caperata 'Teresa' watering schedule
- Peperomia caperata 'Teresa' light requirements
- Full peperomia caperata 'teresa' care guide
Peperomia caperata 'Teresa' pests — FAQ
What is eating my peperomia caperata 'teresa'?
Peperomia caperata 'Teresa' is most troubled by mealybugs and fungus gnats indoors. Its thick, ridged leaves can trap mealybugs in crevices, making them hard to spot. Fungus gnats breed in moist soil. Spider mites and whitefly are occasional threats. Inspect leaf undersides and stem joints regularly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on peperomia caperata 'teresa'?
White cottony clusters in leaf crevices and stem joints; leaves yellow and plant weakens. Dab with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray with diluted neem oil every 7–10 days; isolate the plant immediately.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on peperomia caperata 'teresa'?
Tiny black flies around soil; larvae chew roots causing wilting and poor growth. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry between waterings; apply sticky yellow traps; treat soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) or a dilute hydrogen peroxide drench.
How do I get rid of spider mites on peperomia caperata 'teresa'?
Fine webbing on stems; stippled, dull foliage; leaves may drop in heavy infestations. Increase humidity, rinse foliage with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly until clear.