What's eating my stromanthe sanguinea?

Stromanthe sanguinea's vivid red-backed leaves make pest damage highly visible. Spider mites are the most common attacker, thriving in heated indoor air. Mealybugs target leaf axils, and scale insects can appear on older stems. Maintaining 60%+ humidity and inspecting leaf undersides at every watering prevents most problems.

Pale stippling across the green upper leaf surface; fine webbing on the red undersides; leaves turn dull and papery Mist or shower leaves regularly, increase humidity, and spray neem oil or insecticidal soap to all surfaces every 5–7 days

White cottony deposits at leaf axils and along midrib on the underside; sticky residue and slowed growth Dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud, then apply neem oil foliar spray; repeat weekly until no signs remain

Tan or brown flat bumps on stems and petioles; yellowing leaves; sticky honeydew that can develop into black sooty mould Manually remove with a soft brush, wipe with alcohol, and treat with horticultural oil or neem; repeat in 2 weeks