What's eating my zebra plant calathea?

Calathea zebrina is most plagued by spider mites, which thrive in the warm, dry air typical indoors. Mealybugs and scale are also common sap-suckers on this plant. Boost humidity, inspect undersides of the dramatic striped leaves weekly, and treat early with insecticidal soap — avoid neem oil, which can fade Calathea leaf colour.

Fine webbing between leaves and stems; pale yellow stippling or bronzing across the leaf surface. Increase humidity around the plant. Rinse foliage with a strong water spray, then apply insecticidal soap or diluted dish-soap solution weekly. Avoid neem oil, which can bleach Calathea leaves.

White cottony clusters in leaf axils and along stems; sticky honeydew residue; general leaf yellowing. Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol. Follow up with insecticidal soap spray and repeat every 7–10 days until clear.

Brown or tan waxy bumps on stems and leaf undersides; yellowing foliage and stunted growth. Scrape off adult scales with a soft toothbrush. Treat remaining crawlers with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton pad, then apply insecticidal soap to prevent reinfestation.