Pest identification
What's eating my stromanthe triostar (tricolor)?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and bronzing on the cream and green leaf sections; webbing on undersides; leaves dry at tips and edges.
Control: Keep humidity above 60%. Shower the foliage, then spray thoroughly with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days for at least 3 weeks.
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits at leaf sheaths and axils; pink leaf margins may yellow; sticky honeydew drips on leaves below.
Control: Remove colonies with isopropyl alcohol swabs. Follow with weekly neem oil spray ensuring coverage of all stem junctions.
Thrips
Signs: Silver or brown scarring on pale leaf panels; tiny black frass spots; new leaves may emerge distorted.
Control: Isolate immediately. Apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps to monitor. Treat weekly for 4–5 consecutive weeks.
Keep stromanthe triostar (tricolor) pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats stromanthe — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common stromanthe triostar (tricolor) problems & fixes
- Stromanthe Triostar (Tricolor) watering schedule
- Stromanthe Triostar (Tricolor) light requirements
- Full stromanthe triostar (tricolor) care guide
Stromanthe Triostar (Tricolor) pests — FAQ
What is eating my stromanthe triostar (tricolor)?
Stromanthe Triostar is a striking houseplant whose variegated pink, cream and green leaves are most commonly damaged by spider mites and mealybugs. Low humidity is the primary trigger for mite outbreaks. Thrips can also scar the pale leaf sections, making damage especially visible on this showy cultivar.
How do I get rid of spider mites on stromanthe triostar (tricolor)?
Pale stippling and bronzing on the cream and green leaf sections; webbing on undersides; leaves dry at tips and edges. Keep humidity above 60%. Shower the foliage, then spray thoroughly with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days for at least 3 weeks.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on stromanthe triostar (tricolor)?
Cottony white deposits at leaf sheaths and axils; pink leaf margins may yellow; sticky honeydew drips on leaves below. Remove colonies with isopropyl alcohol swabs. Follow with weekly neem oil spray ensuring coverage of all stem junctions.
How do I get rid of thrips on stromanthe triostar (tricolor)?
Silver or brown scarring on pale leaf panels; tiny black frass spots; new leaves may emerge distorted. Isolate immediately. Apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps to monitor. Treat weekly for 4–5 consecutive weeks.