Pests to Look for on Indoor Plants

Houseplants bring a relaxing, refreshing touch of nature to any indoor space, whether it is your home, an office, a classroom, a lobby, or any other location. Indoor plants are more than just living decorations, however – they are entire living ecosystems, and as such, may occasionally be home to unwanted insects. By knowing what pests to look for on indoor pants, you can stay alert to these intruders and keep all your houseplants healthy.

Most Common Houseplant Pests

There are a wide variety of insects that can appear on indoor plants, depending on the plant types and environmental conditions. Some plants are hardier and resist pests more easily, while others are more prone to frequent infestations. Even if you only have one houseplant, you may still occasionally find pests and need to control them.

The most common pests to look for on indoor plants include…

• Fungus Gnats – These tiny, flying insects buzz around a plant’s foliage, and can be identified by their clear wings and black heads. Fungus gnat larvae feed on the tender roots of a houseplant, particularly if the soil is damp and rich with organic matter. Any indoor plant that shows poor growth, yellowing foliage, and wilting may be infested with fungus gnats.
  
  
• Spider Mites – Silk-like webs on the underside of plant leaves is a firm indication of a spider mite infestation. These tiny insects bite into a plant and feed on its sap, causing pale spots on the plants, yellowing of the foliage, and leaf loss.
  
  
• Scale – These insects do indeed look like small scales or scabs on the undersides of leaves or the joints of a plant’s stems as their oval-shaped brownish bodies overlap. A general indication of a scale infestation is yellowing or browning of the plant’s leaves.
  
  
• Mealybugs – The sticky residue these white, fuzzy insects leave behind on a plant’s foliage are a clue to an infestation, or you may find sac-like masses of eggs on the underside of leaves when examining a plant for insects.
  
  
• Aphids – These well-known insects suck sap from the new growth on plants, causing yellow patches on the foliage and leaving behind a sticky residue called honeydew. That honeydew may also cause fungus to develop, complicating the plant’s health and recovery. Aphids may be green, black, or gray, and can infect a wide range of houseplants.
  
  
• Thrips – Another houseplant pest that feeds on sap, thrips are straw-colored insects that often leave mottling, streaking, or spotting patterns on the foliage they have attacked. Leaves that are contorting and twisting can be another indication of thrips.

Treating Pests on Indoor Plants

The first step to effectively eliminating houseplant pests is to correctly identify the infestation. This will help you choose the most effective treatment that will not stress or damage the plant. Depending on the pest, treatments could include:

• Picking off insects by hand
• Rinsing the plant with clean water to dislodge insects
• Trimming foliage to remove limited infestations
• Treating the plant with neem oil, insecticidal soaps, or other chemicals
• Top dressing the soil to discourage insects, eggs, or larvae
• Repotting the plant to more suitable soil that is less pest-friendly
• Quarantining the plant to prevent the infestation from spreading to other houseplants

In general, organic treatments are preferred because not only can they be effective against unwanted pests, but they are also healthier options for the plant. In extreme cases, more severe treatments may be necessary.

Preventing Houseplant Pest Infestations

Because pests can be challenging to eliminate from indoor plants, it is often best to take preventative steps before a houseplant is ever infected with insects. Choosing the healthiest plants from reputable nurseries or retailers is a must, and any new plant should be quarantined for a week or two after bringing it home to be sure it does not harbor any unwanted guests.

Providing the best care for a healthy plant will help keep it pest-resistant. This includes using the proper size of pot and good quality soil, as well as watering correctly so the plant is not stressed from over- or underwatering, with no standing water left in the plant’s saucer. Dusting the plant regularly will not only keep it healthier, but will help you be aware of any signs of insects as soon as they are noticeable, and regular trimming of dead foliage will encourage better air circulation around the plant and eliminate excess organic material that can attract insects.

Houseplants can be a joy in any indoor space, but dealing with pest infestations is never joyful. By knowing what pests to look for on indoor plants and how to treat any infestation, you can keep your indoor plants healthy and free of unwanted insects.