How can I keep my plant’s leaves healthy when insects are damaging them?

What's likely going on

In the photo the older leaves look glossy and healthy, but the newer leaves are:

• Chewed around the edges
• Curled and a bit blistered
• Covered with small insects and ants

What can be seen for sure is physical insect damage and ants running over the leaves. Ants are often attracted to sap‑sucking insects (like aphids, scale or leafhoppers) because they feed on the sweet liquid those pests produce. The chewing along the edges may be from caterpillars or beetles coming at night.

So the main problem isn’t a nutrient or fertilizer issue – it’s insects attacking the tender new growth.

What to do

1. Trim badly damaged leaves
   Use clean scissors to remove the worst‑affected leaves and any shoots heavily covered in insects. This reduces the pest population right away.

2. Wash the plant
   Spray the leaves (top and underside) with a strong but gentle stream of plain water to knock off insects. Do this in the morning so the plant dries during the day.

3. Use a mild insect spray
   Mix 1–2 ml of neem oil + a few drops of mild liquid soap in 1 litre of water. Spray all leaves, especially the undersides and growing tips, every 5–7 days for 3–4 rounds. Avoid spraying in hot midday sun to prevent leaf burn.

4. Control ants
   If ants keep coming back, disturb their trails and, if needed, place ant baits on the ground away from the plant. Fewer ants makes it harder for sap‑sucking pests to spread.

5. Clean around the base
   Remove weeds and debris around the plant so pests have fewer hiding places and the soil can dry slightly between waterings.

How to prevent it

• Check the new leaves weekly for tiny insects, sticky residue, or fresh chew marks.
• Keep the area around the plant weed‑free and lightly mulched.
• Use a preventive neem spray once or twice a month during the main growing season.
• Water regularly but don’t keep the soil constantly soggy; a strong, not‑stressed plant copes better with pests.

When to worry

• If new leaves keep emerging curled and stunted even after treatment.
• If you see webbing, heavy sticky honeydew, or black sooty mold covering many leaves.
• If more than half the canopy is damaged or the plant stops growing.

In those cases, take a close, clear photo of the insects themselves (front and back of a leaf) and consider asking a local nursery or extension service for a specific pest identification and stronger treatment options.