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Velvet tree · Miconia calvescens

Why are there bugs on my Miconia calvescens?

It is less common for this plant to have pests, but they can occasionally appear if the environment is too dry or stagnant. Check the undersides of the large leaves first to see what you are dealing with.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for webbing or white fluff.
  2. Check the leaf axils where the stem meets the foliage.
  3. Look for tiny moving dots on the surface of the leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Spider mites

    Possible

    How to tell: You will see fine webbing between the leaf veins and tiny yellow stippling on the foliage. These thrive in hot, dry indoor air.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the webs. Increase the humidity around the plant using a pebble tray or humidifier. Spray the leaves with neem oil once a week for three weeks.

  2. Mealybugs

    Possible

    How to tell: Look for white, cottony masses hiding in the leaf axils or along the stems. They suck the sap and leave behind a sticky residue.

    What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly onto the white patches. Rinse the foliage with water afterward to remove the residue. Repeat this process every five days until the bugs are gone.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your velvet tree

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Worry if the leaves start yellowing or dropping rapidly due to the infestation. A few stray bugs are manageable, but a full colony will quickly weaken the plant.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the leaves clean by wiping them with a damp cloth every two weeks. Maintain good airflow around the plant to discourage pests from settling in.

Velvet tree: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your velvet tree and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Can I use insecticidal soap?
Yes, it is safe for Miconia if you follow the label instructions. Always test a small area of the leaf first to ensure no spotting occurs.
Will these bugs kill my plant?
Not if you catch them early. If left untreated for months, the plant will lose its vigor and stop growing.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Velvet tree

Back to the Velvet tree guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.