Treating the spider mites with a solution of liquid dish soap and water is just as effective as the mineral oil, but less greasy. Regardless of what you use, you have to get complete coverage of all leaf and stem surfaces until they are dripping wet. It is very messy and best done outside in the shade. If you are really thorough, one treatment is usually sufficient.
Two important factors for its growth are maximum sunlight and keeping it moderately potbound. In a large pot, it will tend to fill the pot with roots at the expense of top development. This is counterintuitive for many who think that a bigger pot will lead to better growth.
