Growli

Pest identification

What's eating my calathea louisae 'thai beauty'?

Spider mites

Signs: Bronze or silver stippling across leaf surfaces; fine webbing on undersides; leaves look dull and tattered

Control: Raise humidity, wipe both leaf surfaces with a damp cloth, spray neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for 3 weeks

Mealybugs

Signs: Fluffy white wax along the mid-rib and in leaf axils; leaves yellow and plant loses vigour

Control: Dab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol, follow with neem oil spray, isolate the plant and check weekly

Thrips

Signs: Silvery scars and tiny dark frass on new leaves; distorted unfurling growth

Control: Remove badly affected leaves; spray spinosad or insecticidal soap every 5 days for at least 3 applications

Keep calathea louisae 'thai beauty' pest-free

Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:

Calathea Louisae 'Thai Beauty' pests — FAQ

What is eating my calathea louisae 'thai beauty'?

Calathea Louisae 'Thai Beauty' is vulnerable to spider mites and mealybugs, the most prevalent indoor calathea pests. Its elongated patterned leaves can harbour mealybugs along the mid-rib. Thrips occasionally attack new unfurling growth. Maintaining humidity above 50% and inspecting weekly significantly reduces the risk of damaging infestations.

How do I get rid of spider mites on calathea louisae 'thai beauty'?

Bronze or silver stippling across leaf surfaces; fine webbing on undersides; leaves look dull and tattered Raise humidity, wipe both leaf surfaces with a damp cloth, spray neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for 3 weeks

How do I get rid of mealybugs on calathea louisae 'thai beauty'?

Fluffy white wax along the mid-rib and in leaf axils; leaves yellow and plant loses vigour Dab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol, follow with neem oil spray, isolate the plant and check weekly

How do I get rid of thrips on calathea louisae 'thai beauty'?

Silvery scars and tiny dark frass on new leaves; distorted unfurling growth Remove badly affected leaves; spray spinosad or insecticidal soap every 5 days for at least 3 applications