Pest identification
What's eating my peperomia fraseri?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along stems; sticky honeydew residue.
Control: Dab with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat weekly until clear. Use neem oil spray as a follow-up.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on undersides of leaves; stippled, dull foliage; leaves may yellow and drop.
Control: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, then spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil. Raise humidity to deter re-infestation.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Tiny dark flies hovering around soil; larvae chew fine roots, causing slow growth and wilting in young plants.
Control: Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry fully between waterings. Use sticky yellow traps and apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench to kill larvae.
Keep peperomia fraseri pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Peperomia fraseri pests — FAQ
What is eating my peperomia fraseri?
Peperomia fraseri is rarely troubled by pests, but indoor sap-suckers such as mealybugs and spider mites are the main threats. Overwatered soil also invites fungus gnats. Because leaves are thick and semi-succulent, heavy infestations are uncommon; good air circulation and avoiding waterlogging keep the plant clean.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on peperomia fraseri?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along stems; sticky honeydew residue. Dab with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat weekly until clear. Use neem oil spray as a follow-up.
How do I get rid of spider mites on peperomia fraseri?
Fine webbing on undersides of leaves; stippled, dull foliage; leaves may yellow and drop. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, then spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil. Raise humidity to deter re-infestation.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on peperomia fraseri?
Tiny dark flies hovering around soil; larvae chew fine roots, causing slow growth and wilting in young plants. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry fully between waterings. Use sticky yellow traps and apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) drench to kill larvae.