What's eating my philodendron rugosum (pigskin)?

Philodendron rugosum (Pigskin) has thick, heavily textured leather-like leaves. The deep rugose surface creates countless crevices where mealybugs and spider mites shelter from sprays. Mealybugs are the chief threat and notoriously difficult to eliminate in the leaf texture. Scale insects occasionally colonise mature stems.

White waxy fluff lodged deep in the rugose leaf surface and at stem nodes; honeydew deposits Use a soft toothbrush or cotton swab dipped in alcohol to work into leaf crevices; apply neem oil spray and repeat every 7 days

Bronze-yellow stippling and fine webbing in leaf crevices; plant looks dull and unhealthy Spray with insecticidal soap ensuring coverage in leaf texture; raise humidity above 55%; repeat weekly until clear

Waxy brown bumps on stems; yellowing leaves; sticky residue below infested areas Scrape off manually with a soft brush; treat with horticultural oil; monitor stems monthly