Pest identification
What's eating my tradescantia fluminensis 'tricolor'?
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Pale stippling on leaf surfaces; loss of colour vibrancy in variegation; fine webbing on undersides; leaves eventually drop
Control: Raise humidity; rinse foliage regularly; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for 3–4 cycles
Aphids
Signs: Soft green or grey colonies on tender shoot tips; leaf curl; sticky honeydew
Control: Remove by hand or blast off with water; insecticidal soap spray resolves most infestations quickly
Fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.)
Signs: Adult gnats around compost surface; larvae damage fine feeder roots, causing yellowing lower leaves
Control: Let the top inch of compost dry between waterings; apply Bti drench; use sticky yellow traps
Keep tradescantia fluminensis 'tricolor' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats inch plant — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common tradescantia fluminensis 'tricolor' problems & fixes
- Tradescantia fluminensis 'Tricolor' watering schedule
- Tradescantia fluminensis 'Tricolor' light requirements
- Full tradescantia fluminensis 'tricolor' care guide
Tradescantia fluminensis 'Tricolor' pests — FAQ
What is eating my tradescantia fluminensis 'tricolor'?
Tradescantia fluminensis 'Tricolor' is a tough, fast-growing houseplant but spider mites are a persistent enemy, causing the variegated leaves to look faded and bleached. Aphids attack new growth, and fungus gnats breed in consistently moist compost. Mealybugs can hide where leaves clasp the stem.
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus urticae) on tradescantia fluminensis 'tricolor'?
Pale stippling on leaf surfaces; loss of colour vibrancy in variegation; fine webbing on undersides; leaves eventually drop Raise humidity; rinse foliage regularly; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly for 3–4 cycles
How do I get rid of aphids on tradescantia fluminensis 'tricolor'?
Soft green or grey colonies on tender shoot tips; leaf curl; sticky honeydew Remove by hand or blast off with water; insecticidal soap spray resolves most infestations quickly
How do I get rid of fungus gnats (bradysia spp.) on tradescantia fluminensis 'tricolor'?
Adult gnats around compost surface; larvae damage fine feeder roots, causing yellowing lower leaves Let the top inch of compost dry between waterings; apply Bti drench; use sticky yellow traps