Pest identification
What's eating my silver pothos?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits at leaf axils and nodes; honeydew residue; leaves yellow or fall early
Control: Swab each colony with 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray weekly for a month
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling on silver-mottled leaves; fine webbing visible on undersides in low humidity
Control: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, raise humidity, spray insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days
Thrips
Signs: Silvery scarring and distortion on emerging leaves; tiny dark droppings on undersides
Control: Remove affected growth, spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap on 5-day intervals for 3 rounds
Keep silver pothos pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Silver pothos pests — FAQ
What is eating my silver pothos?
Silver pothos (Scindapsus pictus) most commonly encounters mealybugs and spider mites in typical indoor conditions. The silvery variegated surface can mask early stippling damage, so check leaf undersides regularly. Thrips occasionally target new growth. Monthly neem oil spray and good air circulation keep most pest pressure low in home collections.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on silver pothos?
Cottony white deposits at leaf axils and nodes; honeydew residue; leaves yellow or fall early Swab each colony with 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray weekly for a month
How do I get rid of spider mites on silver pothos?
Pale stippling on silver-mottled leaves; fine webbing visible on undersides in low humidity Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, raise humidity, spray insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of thrips on silver pothos?
Silvery scarring and distortion on emerging leaves; tiny dark droppings on undersides Remove affected growth, spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap on 5-day intervals for 3 rounds