What's eating my peperomia velutina?

Peperomia velutina has velvety dark-green leaves with striking red stems. Like other textured peperomias, its soft surface can harbor mealybugs that are easy to miss. Spider mites become a risk in dry indoor air, and fungus gnats exploit overwatered soil. Keep humidity moderate and check undersides of leaves regularly.

Cottony white colonies tucked into the velvet texture at leaf axils; sap loss causes wilting and yellowing Manual removal with alcohol swabs is most effective on textured leaves; follow with neem oil spray; repeat weekly

Dull, stippled leaves and fine webs on undersides; thrives when indoor humidity drops below 40% Mist plant regularly; place on a pebble humidity tray; spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil

Larvae in wet soil attack fine roots; plants may wilt and show slow growth despite adequate watering Allow soil to partially dry before re-watering; use a Bti soil drench; catch adults with yellow sticky traps