Pest identification
What's eating my peperomia 'quito'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils; leaves yellow and growth is stunted
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every week for a month
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae eat roots in overly moist soil; adult gnats cluster around the pot
Control: Allow soil to partially dry between waterings; apply Bti drench or sticky yellow traps
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale dots and fine webbing on leaves during dry winter heating season
Control: Rinse plant under lukewarm water; apply insecticidal soap and raise humidity
Keep peperomia 'quito' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Peperomia 'Quito' pests — FAQ
What is eating my peperomia 'quito'?
Peperomia 'Quito' is a compact cultivar that faces the typical indoor pest pressures of peperomias: mealybugs at stem joints, fungus gnats from wet soil, and occasionally spider mites in low humidity. Its semi-succulent leaves tolerate some neglect but not persistent pests. Early action with neem oil or insecticidal soap resolves most infestations.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on peperomia 'quito'?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils; leaves yellow and growth is stunted Dab with isopropyl alcohol; spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every week for a month
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on peperomia 'quito'?
Larvae eat roots in overly moist soil; adult gnats cluster around the pot Allow soil to partially dry between waterings; apply Bti drench or sticky yellow traps
How do I get rid of spider mites on peperomia 'quito'?
Tiny pale dots and fine webbing on leaves during dry winter heating season Rinse plant under lukewarm water; apply insecticidal soap and raise humidity