Pest identification
What's eating my ribbon bush?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaves, especially during hot, dry conditions; foliage looks faded
Control: Mist foliage to raise humidity. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to all leaf surfaces, repeating every 7 days for 3–4 weeks.
Whitefly
Signs: Clouds of tiny white insects disturbed from leaves; honeydew leads to sooty mould and yellowing foliage
Control: Hang yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin, targeting leaf undersides; repeat every 5 days.
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on new shoots and flower buds; sticky honeydew, leaf curl, and distorted growth tips
Control: Spray off with water and follow with insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators such as ladybirds (ladybugs) outdoors.
Keep ribbon bush pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ribbon Bush pests — FAQ
What is eating my ribbon bush?
Ribbon Bush (Hypoestes aristata) is grown as a houseplant in cooler climates and as an outdoor sub-shrub in warm zones. Indoors, spider mites and whitefly are the main threats. Outdoors, aphids and caterpillars may also feed on its soft stems and blooms. Good air circulation deters most problems.
How do I get rid of spider mites on ribbon bush?
Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaves, especially during hot, dry conditions; foliage looks faded Mist foliage to raise humidity. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to all leaf surfaces, repeating every 7 days for 3–4 weeks.
How do I get rid of whitefly on ribbon bush?
Clouds of tiny white insects disturbed from leaves; honeydew leads to sooty mould and yellowing foliage Hang yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin, targeting leaf undersides; repeat every 5 days.
How do I get rid of aphids on ribbon bush?
Colonies on new shoots and flower buds; sticky honeydew, leaf curl, and distorted growth tips Spray off with water and follow with insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators such as ladybirds (ladybugs) outdoors.