Growli

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:

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.