What's eating my xanthosoma atrovirens?

Xanthosoma atrovirens, a deep-green leaved tropical aroid, is most commonly attacked by spider mites and mealybugs when grown in containers or indoors. Aphids target new growth, and scale can establish on older stems. In outdoor tropical gardens, slugs and snails will also browse the large leaves.

Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; leaves lose their deep green luster and may yellow Mist plants to raise humidity; rinse leaf undersides; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly

White cottony deposits in leaf axils and stem crevices; affected growth weakens and may drop prematurely Remove colonies manually with an alcohol swab; spray with insecticidal soap; re-check every 7–10 days

Soft green or black insects on new growth; honeydew drip causes sticky residue and sooty mold on lower leaves Knock off with a water spray; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage predatory insects outdoors

Ragged holes in large leaves overnight; slime trails visible on the dark foliage and surrounding mulch Hand-pick after dark; set beer traps; apply iron-phosphate bait around the base of the plant