What's eating my plectranthus scutellarioides 'freckles'?

Coleus 'Freckles' faces the same pest suite as other coleus cultivars. Mealybugs are the most damaging pest, hiding in stem joints. Aphids cluster on tender new growth, and slugs readily devour the soft leaves in damp garden conditions. Spider mites can flare in hot, dry spells.

Fluffy white wax in stem crevices and leaf axils; honeydew leads to sooty mould and leaf drop. Remove with alcohol-tipped swabs; drench soil and spray foliage with neem oil; repeat weekly for three weeks.

Distorted, sticky shoot tips with clustered soft insects; ant activity signals infestation. Spray with a diluted insecticidal soap solution; introduce or conserve natural predators; prune badly affected tips.

Fine stippling across leaves, pale bronzing, and fine webbing on undersides in hot dry conditions. Increase humidity; spray forcefully with water to dislodge mites; apply horticultural oil or miticide if severe.