Pest identification
What's eating my xanthosoma 'lime zinger'?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling turning to bronzing across the large leaves; fine webbing on undersides in dry, warm rooms
Control: Shower off the plant, then spray all surfaces with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly for 3 weeks
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony wax in leaf axils and along the thick stems; leaves yellow and plant vigor drops
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, then follow with neem oil spray; repeat until no new colonies appear
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae damage roots in waterlogged soil; adult gnats swarm around the plant surface
Control: Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults and apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench for larvae
Keep xanthosoma 'lime zinger' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats xanthosoma sagittifolium — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common xanthosoma 'lime zinger' problems & fixes
- Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger' watering schedule
- Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger' light requirements
- Full xanthosoma 'lime zinger' care guide
Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger' pests — FAQ
What is eating my xanthosoma 'lime zinger'?
Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger' is a bold tropical that attracts spider mites and mealybugs indoors and aphids when placed outside in summer. The large lime-green leaves make stippling damage immediately visible. Fungus gnats are common if the soil stays persistently wet. Keep watering in check and inspect leaf undersides weekly.
How do I get rid of spider mites on xanthosoma 'lime zinger'?
Fine pale stippling turning to bronzing across the large leaves; fine webbing on undersides in dry, warm rooms Shower off the plant, then spray all surfaces with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat weekly for 3 weeks
How do I get rid of mealybugs on xanthosoma 'lime zinger'?
White cottony wax in leaf axils and along the thick stems; leaves yellow and plant vigor drops Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, then follow with neem oil spray; repeat until no new colonies appear
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on xanthosoma 'lime zinger'?
Larvae damage roots in waterlogged soil; adult gnats swarm around the plant surface Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults and apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) drench for larvae