What's eating my strawberry shake?

Philodendron 'Strawberry Shake' is a prized variegated hybrid particularly susceptible to thrips and mealybugs, both of which often arrive on new cuttings when traded between collectors. The pale cream and pink variegation can hide early pest damage, so inspect new growth and undersides with a loupe weekly.

Silvery streaking and scarring on variegated patches; tiny black frass dots; new unfurling leaves are deformed. Quarantine on arrival; treat with spinosad or neem oil every 5–7 days for at least three cycles; yellow sticky traps confirm adults are gone.

White cottony masses in leaf axils and at stem nodes; sticky honeydew and sooty mould on leaves below. Dab infested spots with 70% isopropyl alcohol, then follow up with insecticidal soap spray on a weekly schedule.

Fine stippling and webbing on leaf undersides; leaves lose colour and vigour in warm, dry conditions. Increase humidity, rinse leaves regularly, and apply neem oil or a miticide weekly until infestation clears.