Pest identification
What's eating my rhaphidophora cryptantha?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing, especially where leaves meet the climbing surface
Control: Gently peel back leaves to spray undersides with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly; raise ambient humidity
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy fluff between leaf and mounting surface; sticky honeydew drips down the support
Control: Dab with an alcohol-soaked swab; follow with neem oil; persistent cases may require gentle removal of the leaf from the board/plank to reach all bugs
Thrips
Signs: Silver streaking or papery scarring on new leaves as they unfurl; distorted mature foliage
Control: Apply spinosad-based spray to all leaf surfaces; use blue sticky traps; remove heavily damaged leaves
Keep rhaphidophora cryptantha pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Rhaphidophora Cryptantha pests — FAQ
What is eating my rhaphidophora cryptantha?
Rhaphidophora cryptantha is a shingle plant that presses flat against surfaces — making pest detection tricky. Spider mites and mealybugs are the most common threats, hiding between the leaf and its support. Inspect the underside and edges of each leaf regularly. Thrips can scar the surface of new growth before it fully expands.
How do I get rid of spider mites on rhaphidophora cryptantha?
Pale stippling and fine webbing, especially where leaves meet the climbing surface Gently peel back leaves to spray undersides with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly; raise ambient humidity
How do I get rid of mealybugs on rhaphidophora cryptantha?
White waxy fluff between leaf and mounting surface; sticky honeydew drips down the support Dab with an alcohol-soaked swab; follow with neem oil; persistent cases may require gentle removal of the leaf from the board/plank to reach all bugs
How do I get rid of thrips on rhaphidophora cryptantha?
Silver streaking or papery scarring on new leaves as they unfurl; distorted mature foliage Apply spinosad-based spray to all leaf surfaces; use blue sticky traps; remove heavily damaged leaves