Pest identification
What's eating my primulina 'loki'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters at leaf bases and stem joints; sticky residue; leaves yellow and buds may drop.
Control: Spot-treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with dilute neem oil weekly; isolate from other plants immediately.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling and pale speckling on leaf surfaces; webbing visible underneath in warm, dry rooms.
Control: Boost humidity to 50%+; spray insecticidal soap thoroughly on leaf undersides every 5-7 days until clear.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae feed on roots and organic matter in moist soil; adults are a nuisance and indicate over-watering.
Control: Allow the top 2-3 cm of compost to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; drench with Bti solution to kill larvae.
Keep primulina 'loki' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Primulina 'Loki' pests — FAQ
What is eating my primulina 'loki'?
Primulina 'Loki' is a compact indoor hybrid gesneriad grown for its patterned foliage and tubular flowers. As a houseplant it faces mealybugs in the leaf axils, spider mites in low humidity, and fungus gnats in waterlogged compost. Mealybugs are the most frequent and damaging pest of Primulina cultivars indoors.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on primulina 'loki'?
White cottony clusters at leaf bases and stem joints; sticky residue; leaves yellow and buds may drop. Spot-treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with dilute neem oil weekly; isolate from other plants immediately.
How do I get rid of spider mites on primulina 'loki'?
Fine stippling and pale speckling on leaf surfaces; webbing visible underneath in warm, dry rooms. Boost humidity to 50%+; spray insecticidal soap thoroughly on leaf undersides every 5-7 days until clear.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on primulina 'loki'?
Larvae feed on roots and organic matter in moist soil; adults are a nuisance and indicate over-watering. Allow the top 2-3 cm of compost to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; drench with Bti solution to kill larvae.