Pest identification
What's eating my maranta 'silver band'?
Spider mites
Signs: Stippled, faded leaf surfaces — the silver-band marking appears bleached; webbing under leaves in moderate to heavy cases.
Control: Increase humidity; avoid placing near radiators or heating vents. Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days for 3 weeks.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses in leaf joints and along petioles; sticky honeydew and slowed growth.
Control: Remove with isopropyl alcohol swabs; follow with a neem oil spray program covering all plant surfaces weekly until clear.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae nibble fine roots in wet soil, causing unexplained wilting; adults are visible flying around the pot.
Control: Reduce watering frequency. Set yellow sticky traps; drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis solution to kill larvae.
Keep maranta 'silver band' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Maranta 'Silver Band' pests — FAQ
What is eating my maranta 'silver band'?
Maranta 'Silver Band' is a humidity-loving houseplant most commonly attacked by spider mites, which cause its silvery-banded pattern to look bleached and dull. Mealybugs are the other key pest. Grouping plants and running a humidifier provides the moisture this plant needs while deterring mites.
How do I get rid of spider mites on maranta 'silver band'?
Stippled, faded leaf surfaces — the silver-band marking appears bleached; webbing under leaves in moderate to heavy cases. Increase humidity; avoid placing near radiators or heating vents. Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray every 5–7 days for 3 weeks.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on maranta 'silver band'?
White cottony masses in leaf joints and along petioles; sticky honeydew and slowed growth. Remove with isopropyl alcohol swabs; follow with a neem oil spray program covering all plant surfaces weekly until clear.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on maranta 'silver band'?
Larvae nibble fine roots in wet soil, causing unexplained wilting; adults are visible flying around the pot. Reduce watering frequency. Set yellow sticky traps; drench soil with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis solution to kill larvae.