What's eating my peperomia hoffmannii?

Peperomia hoffmannii is a lesser-known trailing or upright peperomia kept as an indoor plant. Like all peperomias it is most vulnerable to mealybugs along its stems and leaf joints. Spider mites can appear in centrally heated rooms. Root-nibbling fungus gnat larvae develop if soil is kept too wet. Pest pressure is generally low.

White waxy patches at leaf axils and stem nodes; sticky residue; yellowing of affected leaves. Remove manually with alcohol swabs; isolate from other plants; apply neem oil spray weekly until infestation clears.

Tiny pale flecks scattered across leaves; silk webbing at growing tips in hot, dry indoor air. Shower the plant to dislodge mites; spray insecticidal soap on all surfaces; improve humidity around the plant.

Larvae in potting mix attack roots; adults swarm around the base of the plant. Let soil dry out between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; drench with Bti solution to kill larvae.