6 common indoor plant pests and how to prevent them
Having plants filling your home is a wonderful thing. They add life to any dull space, some have air-purifying superpowers and they’re just pretty to look at. But sometimes, it’s not always easy. Sadly, pest infestations are a common problem many houseplants face. And, if not treated quickly enough then your plant can quickly die - especially if they were weak to start with. Weak plants can be spotted by yellowing leaves, wilting or even holes in leaves too.
The good news is, that with early detection, most plant pests can be controlled and your plant can be saved! And here we’ll explore the 6 most common types of houseplant pests and explain how to prevent and get rid of them before they cause too much damage.
Most common houseplant pests
As a plant parent, you should know that very few plants can totally escape the nightmare of pests. So, it’s important you get yourself familiar with the most common types, learn what kind of damage they do, and, of course, how to get rid of them.
This list below, while not exhaustive, are the pests you will typically see on indoor plants:
1. Aphids
Aphids, or greenfly, as they’re also known, are small and green and like to suck the sap out of flowers, shoot tips and soft leaves. If you’ve owned multiple plants for a long time, we’re willing to bet you’ve already come across these pests. Not only does sucking sap cause mottling and distortion, but they also eject honeydew which attracts ants and encourages fungal disease too.
2. Mealy bugs
White and waxy, mealy bugs look very similar to woodlice and move in packs. They love infesting all types of ferns, palms and azaleas. These pests also suck sap, making your plants lacklustre, and eject honeydew too.
3. Red spider mites
Red spider mites are exactly how they sound, miniature, red spider-like bugs with 8 legs and a craving for supple leaves. They’re known for sucking the leaves and, if the infestation is bad enough, create webs around them too. Red spider mites also reduce the air circulation around the plant making it difficult for the plant to eradicate them.
4. Cyclamen mites
Cyclamen mites are very similar looking to red spider mites, they look just like teeny tiny spiders with 8 legs and will infest a wide range of plants. These pests usually cluster on the underside of leaves and suck the sap causing the leaves to crinkle. If you have any plants that flower, you might find the flowering period is shorter and the buds may even fall off.
5. Whitefly
Small and moth-like, whitefly pests will move from plant to plant, creating a path of destruction as they go. You’ll probably find these on the underside of leaves, sucking sap and ejecting honeydew to attract ants and dramatically weaken your plants.
6. Thrips
Although small, thrips can cause a lot of damage. Dark brown and fly-like, these pests jump from plant to plant, piercing leaves and flowers and sucking out the sap. With these bugs, you’ll probably notice the underside of the leaves developing small drops of red liquid that will eventually turn black and make your plants feel very unwell.
How to prevent indoor houseplant pests
We know it all sounds very doom and gloom right now, but there are plenty of things you can do to help protect your plants from pests.
Here are some ways to prevent pests from forming in the first place:
Only buy plants from a reputable store.
Inspect the plant for pests before buying.
Use clean pots.
Always use potting soil instead of garden soil which may have bugs in.
Don’t leave dead leaves or flowers around the plant.
When repotting, check the root ball for bugs.
If you’ve discovered pests on your plants, don’t panic. There are plenty of ways to get rid of them without harming your plant any further.
Use the appropriate pesticides
Carefully read the care labels on the pesticides so you can be absolutely sure it’s suited to your problem and that it won’t be harmful to the plant either.
Use organic pesticides
If you want to avoid any nasty toxins, organic pesticides such as salt spray, rubbing alcohol, insecticidal soap and Eucalyptus Oil can be a very effective way of removing pests.
Wash plants regularly
If you have a lot of plants there’s a higher risk of pests, so washing them often is a good way to both get rid of and prevent future pests. Use mild, soapy water and rinse the leaves gently to get rid of any bugs.
Remove egg sacs, cocoons and webs
Use a cotton swab dipped with rubbing alcohol to remove these pesky signs of bugs and sanitise your plants.
Mist plants
Using clean water, mist your plants often (this is perfect if your plants like humid environments too), where there is a risk of red spider mites.
Need some more help? Take a look at our ultimate indoor plant care guide for everything you need to know on how to keep your houseplants happy and healthy.
Also, read all about the best air-purifying indoor plants that’ll benefit your home and your health!