Growli

Pest identification

What's eating my pilea 'friendship'?

Spider mites

Signs: Stippled, bronzed leaves with fine webbing on undersides; plant looks dull and stressed

Control: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, raise humidity, and spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil weekly

Mealybugs

Signs: White cottony wax in leaf joints and on stems; sticky honeydew attracting mold

Control: Apply isopropyl alcohol directly with a cotton swab; follow with neem oil spray; isolate the plant

Fungus gnats

Signs: Larvae feed on fine roots in wet soil; adults scatter around the pot when disturbed

Control: Allow top 2 inches of soil to dry before watering; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench for larvae

Keep pilea 'friendship' pest-free

Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:

Pilea 'Friendship' pests — FAQ

What is eating my pilea 'friendship'?

Pilea involucrata 'Friendship' is a low-growing tropical houseplant most troubled by spider mites and mealybugs. Its dense, textured leaves give pests good hiding spots. Fungus gnats are common when soil stays wet. Keep humidity moderate, avoid waterlogging, and inspect the undersides of leaves every couple of weeks.

How do I get rid of spider mites on pilea 'friendship'?

Stippled, bronzed leaves with fine webbing on undersides; plant looks dull and stressed Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, raise humidity, and spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil weekly

How do I get rid of mealybugs on pilea 'friendship'?

White cottony wax in leaf joints and on stems; sticky honeydew attracting mold Apply isopropyl alcohol directly with a cotton swab; follow with neem oil spray; isolate the plant

How do I get rid of fungus gnats on pilea 'friendship'?

Larvae feed on fine roots in wet soil; adults scatter around the pot when disturbed Allow top 2 inches of soil to dry before watering; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench for larvae