Pest identification
What's eating my plectranthus scutellarioides 'rainbow festive dance'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew and weakened, distorted growth.
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove heavily infested stems.
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied clusters on shoot tips causing curled, yellowed leaves and sticky honeydew residue.
Control: Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap spray; encourage ladybirds and lacewings as natural predators.
Slugs & Snails
Signs: Ragged, irregular holes through the soft ornamental leaves, especially after rain or irrigation.
Control: Apply iron phosphate slug pellets around plants; handpick at night; use gritty bark mulch as a physical barrier.
Keep plectranthus scutellarioides 'rainbow festive dance' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats painted nettle — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common plectranthus scutellarioides 'rainbow festive dance' problems & fixes
- Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Rainbow Festive Dance' watering schedule
- Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Rainbow Festive Dance' light requirements
- Full plectranthus scutellarioides 'rainbow festive dance' care guide
Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Rainbow Festive Dance' pests — FAQ
What is eating my plectranthus scutellarioides 'rainbow festive dance'?
Coleus 'Rainbow Festive Dance' is most threatened by mealybugs and aphids outdoors, and spider mites in warm, dry conditions. Slugs and snails can shred the ornamental foliage in garden beds. Whitefly occasionally colonise the undersides of leaves. Inspect regularly and act early to protect the vivid leaf colour.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on plectranthus scutellarioides 'rainbow festive dance'?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew and weakened, distorted growth. Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove heavily infested stems.
How do I get rid of aphids on plectranthus scutellarioides 'rainbow festive dance'?
Soft-bodied clusters on shoot tips causing curled, yellowed leaves and sticky honeydew residue. Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap spray; encourage ladybirds and lacewings as natural predators.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on plectranthus scutellarioides 'rainbow festive dance'?
Ragged, irregular holes through the soft ornamental leaves, especially after rain or irrigation. Apply iron phosphate slug pellets around plants; handpick at night; use gritty bark mulch as a physical barrier.