What's eating my silver dragon lilyturf?

Silver Dragon Lilyturf kept indoors is susceptible to spider mites, which thrive in the warm, low-humidity conditions typical of most homes and cause dull, speckled foliage. Mealybugs can shelter deep in the leaf clumps. Scale may attach along stem bases. Its variegated silver-white foliage makes early pest damage easier to spot than on plain green lilyturf.

Tiny pale stipples across leaf surfaces; fine webbing in dense leaf tufts; leaves take on a dull, greyish cast Increase ambient humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier; mist foliage; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; repeat weekly for a month

Fluffy white cottony masses at the base of leaf blades and in the rosette centre; sticky honeydew; stunted new growth Remove with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab; drench the crown with diluted neem oil; check and treat weekly until clear for 4 weeks

Hard or waxy bumps on leaf sheaths and stems; yellowing of individual blades; honeydew and sooty mould below Scrape off visible scales; apply horticultural oil or neem oil spray; keep repeat applications going fortnightly to catch crawlers