Pest identification
What's eating my pink fittonia?
Fungus gnats
Signs: Root-feeding larvae stunt growth and cause yellowing; tiny black flies hover near the soil surface.
Control: Reduce watering frequency so the top inch of soil dries out; use sticky yellow traps; apply Bti soil drench.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippled dots on leaf surfaces; leaves look faded or bronzed; webbing in severe cases.
Control: Raise humidity; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil thoroughly over all leaf surfaces every 5–7 days.
Mealybugs
Signs: Fluffy white deposits at stem bases and leaf joints; honeydew and stunted new leaves.
Control: Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow up with a neem oil foliar spray.
Keep pink fittonia pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pink Fittonia pests — FAQ
What is eating my pink fittonia?
Pink Fittonia faces the same indoor pest pressures as other fittonias: fungus gnats in moist soil, spider mites in dry air, and mealybugs in sheltered stem joints. Its petite size means pests can overwhelm it faster than larger plants. Inspect weekly, maintain humidity, and act at the first sign of infestation.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on pink fittonia?
Root-feeding larvae stunt growth and cause yellowing; tiny black flies hover near the soil surface. Reduce watering frequency so the top inch of soil dries out; use sticky yellow traps; apply Bti soil drench.
How do I get rid of spider mites on pink fittonia?
Pale stippled dots on leaf surfaces; leaves look faded or bronzed; webbing in severe cases. Raise humidity; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil thoroughly over all leaf surfaces every 5–7 days.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on pink fittonia?
Fluffy white deposits at stem bases and leaf joints; honeydew and stunted new leaves. Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow up with a neem oil foliar spray.