Pest identification
What's eating my velvet calathea?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on undersides; silvery or bronze stippling distorts the velvety texture; leaves yellow and drop
Control: Raise humidity above 60%; shower the foliage thoroughly; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until population collapses
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white clusters in axils and along stems; honeydew stickiness on the velvety leaf surface
Control: Swab with isopropyl alcohol; spray entire plant with insecticidal soap; isolate and check weekly for 6 weeks
Thrips
Signs: Silvery-white rasped patches or streaks on leaf surfaces; black frass spots visible on undersides
Control: Remove heavily damaged leaves; spray with spinosad-based insecticide or neem oil; use blue sticky traps to monitor adult populations
Keep velvet calathea pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Velvet Calathea pests — FAQ
What is eating my velvet calathea?
Velvet Calathea's soft, velvety leaves attract spider mites and mealybugs — pests that favour lush tropical foliage in dry indoor air. Thrips can also rasp the leaf surface, leaving silvery streaks. High humidity and regular inspection of both leaf surfaces are critical, as the textured surface hides pests well.
How do I get rid of spider mites on velvet calathea?
Fine webbing on undersides; silvery or bronze stippling distorts the velvety texture; leaves yellow and drop Raise humidity above 60%; shower the foliage thoroughly; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until population collapses
How do I get rid of mealybugs on velvet calathea?
Cottony white clusters in axils and along stems; honeydew stickiness on the velvety leaf surface Swab with isopropyl alcohol; spray entire plant with insecticidal soap; isolate and check weekly for 6 weeks
How do I get rid of thrips on velvet calathea?
Silvery-white rasped patches or streaks on leaf surfaces; black frass spots visible on undersides Remove heavily damaged leaves; spray with spinosad-based insecticide or neem oil; use blue sticky traps to monitor adult populations