Common Houseplant Pests

Learn to identify, treat, and prevent the most common pests that affect indoor plants.

Close-up of common plant pests.

Spider Mites

These tiny arachnids create fine webbing on leaves and cause stippled, discolored foliage. They thrive in dry conditions. Combat them by increasing humidity, wiping leaves with water, and using insecticidal soap if needed.

Fungus Gnats

Small flying insects that hover around your plants are usually fungus gnats. Their larvae live in moist soil and can damage roots. Let soil dry out between waterings and use yellow sticky traps to catch adults.

Treating plants for pests.

Mealybugs

White, cottony masses on stems and leaf joints indicate mealybugs. Remove them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For severe infestations, treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Prevention Tips

Inspect new plants before bringing them home. Quarantine new additions for two weeks. Regularly check the undersides of leaves. Keep plants healthy - stressed plants are more susceptible to pests. Clean leaves periodically to remove dust and eggs.