How to Get Rid of Common Houseplant Bugs, According to Experts
These common pests can wreak havoc on your favorite plants’ stems, leaves, and nodes—but never fear, our experts reveal how to get an infestation under control.
In addition to the very welcome benefit of purifying the air in your home, your houseplants give every room a bit of life and fresh color. However, these green beauties also tend to be as attractive to pests as they are to you, which can be a major problem for the plants’ appearance, growth, and overall health. To help keep your greenery in the best possible condition, we outlined the five most common houseplant pests—as well as the best tips for getting rid of them.
How to Get Rid of Common Houseplant Bugs, According to Experts
These common pests can wreak havoc on your favorite plants’ stems, leaves, and nodes—but never fear, our experts reveal how to get an infestation under control.
In addition to the very welcome benefit of purifying the air in your home, your houseplants give every room a bit of life and fresh color. However, these green beauties also tend to be as attractive to pests as they are to you, which can be a major problem for the plants’ appearance, growth, and overall health. To help keep your greenery in the best possible condition, we outlined the five most common houseplant pests—as well as the best tips for getting rid of them.
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Aphid
These tiny houseplant pests have soft green, yellow, brown, red, or black bodies, and they typically linger on the underside of leaves, feeding on sap. Because of their diet, aphids excrete a sugary secretion called honeydew, explains Daniel Scott, associate director for horticulture at the American Horticultural Society. Honeydew often promotes a black sooty mold that grows on the surface of the plant. “It does not infect the plant tissue,” Scott says, “but a heavy coating can inhibit photosynthesis and not allow light to penetrate the leaves.” Large infestations can lead to stunted plant growth and distorted, discolored foliage. They’re especially common in succulents.
To get rid of aphids, wipe or spray infested leaves with a solution of water and a few drops of dishwashing detergent, or enlist the help of natural aphid predators, like ladybugs or lacewing. For plants that are heavily infested, carefully pinch off the stem to remove pests from the plant. Because aphids are attracted to moist soil and high nitrogen levels, it’s a good idea to avoid overwatering and over-fertilizing your houseplants in order to prevent another aphid infestation once you’ve alleviated your problem.
Mealybug
These small, wingless insects, which have a white appearance when grouped together, can usually be found on plant stems, leaves, and nodes (the area where leaves meet the stem). “Mealybugs are attracted to excessive succulent growth, which can occur as a result of overwatering and over-fertilization, especially with fertilizers high in nitrogen,” Scott says. As they the sap of plants, leaves tend to curl and turn slightly yellow, and plant growth becomes stunted.
Mealybug
These small, wingless insects, which have a white appearance when grouped together, can usually be found on plant stems, leaves, and nodes (the area where leaves meet the stem). “Mealybugs are attracted to excessive succulent growth, which can occur as a result of overwatering and over-fertilization, especially with fertilizers high in nitrogen,” Scott says. As they feed on the sap of plants, leaves tend to curl and turn slightly yellow, and plant growth becomes stunted.
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