Sap-sucking pests (thrips, aphids or mealybugs)
Sticky residue, tiny moving bugs, or white cottony tufts mean a sap-sucking pest has moved in.
Diagnosis
Sap-sucking pests (thrips, aphids or mealybugs)
What's happening
Adansonii is prone to thrips and aphids on tender new growth and mealybugs tucked into leaf joints. They all pierce the leaves to drink sap, which deforms new leaves, leaves silvery or speckled patches, and coats the foliage in sticky honeydew. Mealybugs look like little white cotton tufts; thrips are slivers that scatter when disturbed.
How to fix it
Isolate the plant immediately so the pests don't spread. Wipe off any visible mealybugs with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, then spray the whole plant — tops, undersides, stems, and growth tips — with insecticidal soap. Repeat every 5–7 days for several weeks, since eggs and hidden bugs hatch in waves, and check nearby plants in case they've already wandered over.
What fixes it
- Insecticidal soap — Insecticidal soap kills thrips, aphids, and mealybugs on contact; coat every surface and repeat weekly.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Monstera Adansonii care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this