Pest identification
What's eating my pothos 'shangri la'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy fluff tucked inside the cupped leaves and at stem nodes; sticky honeydew and wilting
Control: Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to each cluster; spray with diluted neem oil every 7–10 days until clear
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny specks and fine webbing on leaf undersides; dry, bronzed or stippled foliage
Control: Raise humidity, wash foliage with water, treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly for 3–4 weeks
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae chew fine roots, causing wilting and poor growth; adults are a nuisance flying around the soil
Control: Allow soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults; drench soil with diluted neem oil or Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti)
Keep pothos 'shangri la' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pothos 'Shangri La' pests — FAQ
What is eating my pothos 'shangri la'?
Pothos 'Shangri La', with its cupped and ruffled leaves, is susceptible to the same indoor pests as other pothos cultivars. Mealybugs love its leaf folds; spider mites thrive in dry conditions. Fungus gnats can attack the roots if soil stays waterlogged. Inspect the curled leaf interiors regularly where pests easily hide.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on pothos 'shangri la'?
White waxy fluff tucked inside the cupped leaves and at stem nodes; sticky honeydew and wilting Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to each cluster; spray with diluted neem oil every 7–10 days until clear
How do I get rid of spider mites on pothos 'shangri la'?
Tiny specks and fine webbing on leaf undersides; dry, bronzed or stippled foliage Raise humidity, wash foliage with water, treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly for 3–4 weeks
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on pothos 'shangri la'?
Larvae chew fine roots, causing wilting and poor growth; adults are a nuisance flying around the soil Allow soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults; drench soil with diluted neem oil or Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti)