What's eating my philodendron tenue?

Philodendron tenue is a slender-stemmed climbing philodendron kept indoors. Spider mites and mealybugs are its most common pests, typical of the genus in household conditions. Its thinner stems and smaller leaves mean mealybug colonies can build up quickly in nodes. Maintain humidity and inspect weekly to keep problems manageable.

Pale speckling on leaves; webbing at stem nodes in severe cases; foliage looks dull and dry Boost humidity, wipe leaves clean, spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until eradicated

Cottony white deposits at nodes and in the axils of smaller leaves; slowed growth and leaf drop Swab nodes with isopropyl alcohol, treat with systemic neem drench, isolate from other plants

Larvae damage fine roots in moist soil; adults emerge from soil surface and are a nuisance Let soil surface dry between waterings; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; use yellow sticky traps