What's eating my aluminum plant (watermelon pilea)?

Aluminum Plant's succulent-like leaves and compact growth make it a target for spider mites and mealybugs indoors. Fungus gnats are common when the plant is overwatered. The silvery foliage makes mite stippling harder to spot early — check undersides and axils regularly. Good air circulation and correct watering prevent the majority of issues.

Pale stippling or bronzing of the silver-green leaf surfaces; fine webbing on undersides Increase humidity; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap to leaf undersides; repeat every 7 days for 3 weeks

White cottony masses in stem joints and leaf axils; leaves yellow and plant becomes leggy Spot-treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with full neem oil spray; isolate the plant during treatment

Flying adults near soil surface; larval root feeding causes wilting and poor growth in overwatered plants Allow soil to dry between waterings; apply yellow sticky traps; use Bti drench for heavy infestations