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How to Deal with Common Houseplant Pests

Tap each step to work through how to deal with common houseplant pests.

  1. Identify the common pests

    Spider mites show up as tiny specks on the underside of leaves and often leave fine webbing; scale insects appear as small, waxy brown or white bumps stuck to stems and leaf veins; aphids are small green insects that cluster on new growth and tender stems, sucking sap.

  2. Wash them off at the first sign

    Caught early, a thorough rinse of both sides of the leaves with a shower head or spray bottle physically removes a large share of most pests, and dabbing scale insects off one by one with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol also works well.

  3. Use an eco-friendly insecticidal soap

    If washing alone isn't enough, dilute a horticultural insecticidal soap according to the label and spray the whole plant, ideally in the morning or evening rather than in strong midday sun, to avoid leaf scorch.

  4. Isolate the infected plant

    Because pests spread quickly between pots, move an infested plant away from your other plants for at least one to two weeks as soon as you spot a problem, to keep it from spreading.

  5. Manage airflow and humidity

    Stagnant, overly humid air encourages both mites and fungal disease, so opening a window for airflow and avoiding leaving water sitting on leaves for long periods both help prevent problems.

  6. Check your plants regularly

    Making a habit of checking the tops and undersides of leaves, plus stem joints, about once a week lets you catch pests early, before they turn into a bigger infestation.

Catching it early is the best defense

Pests can spread from one pot to another quickly, so regularly checking leaf condition and catching problems early is by far the most effective way to manage them.

Misting habits and disease risk are connected

Leaving water sitting on leaves for too long makes fungal disease more likely, so it's worth pairing pest prevention with good watering and airflow habits rather than treating them as separate issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do houseplant pests even come from?

They often hitch a ride on a newly purchased plant or one that spent time outdoors, so it's a good habit to keep a new plant separated from the rest of your collection for about two weeks before placing them together.

Do I always need chemical pesticides?

Not necessarily β€” at an early stage, washing with water or using an eco-friendly insecticidal soap is often enough. Consider a stronger, targeted pesticide only if the infestation is severe and keeps spreading.