What's eating my pilea 'silver tree' (pilea spruceana 'silver tree')?

Pilea 'Silver Tree' shares the same indoor pest vulnerabilities as other Pileas: spider mites colonize the silvered leaves, mealybugs hide in stem joints, and fungus gnats breed in wet soil. Its relatively thin, soft leaves make mite damage visible quickly as bronze streaks. Regular showering and good drainage are the best defenses.

Bronze or silver streaking on the decorative leaf surface; webbing along the main vein on undersides Shower foliage weekly; apply neem oil spray every 7 days for 3 weeks; keep humidity above 50%

Cottony deposits at leaf nodes; stunted new growth; sticky residue on nearby surfaces Isolate and treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol swabs; spray diluted neem oil over entire plant, including soil surface

Adults hover around soil; larvae damage fine roots, particularly problematic in peat-heavy mixes Switch to a well-draining perlite-rich mix; allow top soil to dry; use Bti soil drench or sticky traps