Pest identification
What's eating my swedish ivy?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling across leaf surfaces, webbing on undersides; leaves may wither and drop
Control: Improve humidity, rinse foliage regularly, and spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly
Whitefly
Signs: Clouds of tiny white flies rise when foliage is disturbed; leaves yellow and drop; honeydew coats lower leaves
Control: Use yellow sticky traps; spray leaves (especially undersides) with insecticidal soap; repeat every 5–7 days
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony patches at stem nodes and leaf axils in trailing growth
Control: Treat with alcohol swabs individually; follow with a neem oil or insecticidal soap spray over the whole plant
Keep swedish ivy pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Swedish Ivy pests — FAQ
What is eating my swedish ivy?
Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus) is most troubled by spider mites in dry indoor conditions, which cause leaves to stipple and dull. Whitefly can become a serious problem on mature specimens, and mealybugs exploit the dense trailing growth. Its soft, aromatic foliage offers some pest deterrence but is not pest-proof.
How do I get rid of spider mites on swedish ivy?
Pale stippling across leaf surfaces, webbing on undersides; leaves may wither and drop Improve humidity, rinse foliage regularly, and spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly
How do I get rid of whitefly on swedish ivy?
Clouds of tiny white flies rise when foliage is disturbed; leaves yellow and drop; honeydew coats lower leaves Use yellow sticky traps; spray leaves (especially undersides) with insecticidal soap; repeat every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of mealybugs on swedish ivy?
White cottony patches at stem nodes and leaf axils in trailing growth Treat with alcohol swabs individually; follow with a neem oil or insecticidal soap spray over the whole plant