What's eating my stromanthe magic star?

Stromanthe Magic Star is a tropical prayer plant most commonly attacked by spider mites, which thrive in the warm, dry air of heated homes. Mealybugs settle in leaf sheaths, thrips scar the variegated foliage, and scale can appear on stems. Maintain humidity above 50% and inspect undersides of leaves weekly.

Fine webbing on leaf undersides; leaves develop silvery-bronze stippling and curl at edges Raise humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier; shower foliage weekly; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray

White waxy tufts inside leaf sheaths and along midribs; sticky honeydew; sooty mold Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray whole plant with diluted neem oil; isolate and repeat every 7 days

Silver-streaked or bronzed patches on leaves; distorted new growth; tiny dark frass specks Remove heavily damaged leaves; spray with spinosad-based insecticide or insecticidal soap; repeat every 5–7 days

Small brown oval bumps on stems and petioles; sticky leaves; gradual yellowing Scrape off manually; apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray; treat monthly until clear