Pest identification
What's eating my calathea roseopicta 'rosy'?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale dots across the upper leaf surface; webbing visible on undersides; leaf edges may brown
Control: Shower the plant to dislodge mites, increase ambient humidity, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for 3 weeks
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses at the base of petioles and in leaf folds; sticky, shiny honeydew on foliage
Control: Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a swab, followed by a neem oil spray; repeat every 7 days
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown or tan bumps on stems and petioles; yellowing leaves; honeydew and sooty mould
Control: Scrape off manually, treat with horticultural oil or neem oil; repeat applications needed to catch crawlers
Keep calathea roseopicta 'rosy' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats rose-painted calathea (dottie) — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common calathea roseopicta 'rosy' problems & fixes
- Calathea Roseopicta 'Rosy' watering schedule
- Calathea Roseopicta 'Rosy' light requirements
- Full calathea roseopicta 'rosy' care guide
Calathea Roseopicta 'Rosy' pests — FAQ
What is eating my calathea roseopicta 'rosy'?
Calathea Roseopicta 'Rosy' faces the same indoor pest risks as all calatheas, with spider mites topping the list. Its large, velvety leaves show mite stippling quickly. Mealybugs favour the stem bases, and scale can appear on older petioles. High humidity is the single best preventive measure.
How do I get rid of spider mites on calathea roseopicta 'rosy'?
Tiny pale dots across the upper leaf surface; webbing visible on undersides; leaf edges may brown Shower the plant to dislodge mites, increase ambient humidity, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for 3 weeks
How do I get rid of mealybugs on calathea roseopicta 'rosy'?
White cottony masses at the base of petioles and in leaf folds; sticky, shiny honeydew on foliage Treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a swab, followed by a neem oil spray; repeat every 7 days
How do I get rid of scale insects on calathea roseopicta 'rosy'?
Small brown or tan bumps on stems and petioles; yellowing leaves; honeydew and sooty mould Scrape off manually, treat with horticultural oil or neem oil; repeat applications needed to catch crawlers