Pest identification
What's eating my typhonium venosum?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular holes and silver slime trails on large emerging leaves, particularly in spring when growth is soft
Control: Apply iron phosphate slug pellets; hand-pick at dusk; mulch with sharp grit around the tuber
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on tender new petioles and leaf undersides; honeydew, sooty mold and distorted growth
Control: Knock off with a strong water spray; treat with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing and pale stippling on leaf surfaces, especially in dry indoor conditions
Control: Increase humidity; wipe leaves; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until infestation clears
Keep typhonium venosum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Typhonium venosum pests — FAQ
What is eating my typhonium venosum?
Typhonium venosum (voodoo lily) is a robust tropical aroid grown for its dramatic spathe. Outdoors it can be targeted by slugs on emerging leaves and aphids on soft growth. In containers, spider mites and mealybugs are the main concerns. The strong carrion scent of the spathe does not attract harmful insects that damage the plant.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on typhonium venosum?
Irregular holes and silver slime trails on large emerging leaves, particularly in spring when growth is soft Apply iron phosphate slug pellets; hand-pick at dusk; mulch with sharp grit around the tuber
How do I get rid of aphids on typhonium venosum?
Clusters on tender new petioles and leaf undersides; honeydew, sooty mold and distorted growth Knock off with a strong water spray; treat with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of spider mites on typhonium venosum?
Fine webbing and pale stippling on leaf surfaces, especially in dry indoor conditions Increase humidity; wipe leaves; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until infestation clears