No matter how much we may try to avoid pests, houseplants may sometimes get infested by pests. The key is to be on the look out for any pest infestation and to carry out control measures immediately they are noticed. If controlled on time, pests are unlikely to cause any serious damage to houseplants. However, if they are left untreated, they can spread very fast and cause serious damage or even loss of houseplants. Regularly inspect your houseplants for signs of pests and treat them immediately.
These are white, soft-bodied, cottony-looking, sap-sucking insects. Large clusters occur on stems and under the leaves of many houseplants. A serious attack can lead to wilting, yellowing and leaf fall. They also excrete large amounts of honeydew which is a fertile ground for black sooty mold. Learn more and how to control mealy bugs from your houseplants.
Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects also commonly called Plant Lice. They are sap-sucking insects which are usually green but may be black, grey or orange. All plants with soft tissues can be attacked by aphids; the shoot tips and flower buds are the most often attacked. Learn more and how to control aphids from your houseplants.
These are minute sap-sucking insects which infest the underside of leaves of almost all houseplants growing in hot and dry conditions. They cause yellow blotches on the upper surface of the leaves and the leaves fall prematurely. Learn more and how to control red spider mites from your houseplants.
These are small, brown discs attached to the underside of leaves and on the stem. They are covered with an outer waxy shell which protect them from chemical penetration. A heavy infestation may cause yellowing of leaves and produce a sticky honeydew which is a fertile ground for black sooty mold. Learn more and how to control scale insects from your houseplants.
Fungus gnats are a major problem in houseplants. The small, black, flying adult is harmless. The problem is that it lays eggs in the soil which hatch into tiny, black-headed maggots which are harmful. These normally feed on organic matter but they can devour young roots. The gnats are troublesome in over-damp conditions. Learn more and how to control fungus gnats from your houseplants.
These are tiny, white moth-like insects which occur in clusters on the underside of leaves. They are common in Begonia, Fuchsia, Impatiens and Pelargonium. They are sap-sucking insects, which secrete a honeydew sticky substance which attracts a sooty black mold. Learn more and how to control whiteflies from your houseplants.
Thrips are tiny black insects which fly or jump from leaf to leaf, causing tell-tale silvery streaks. The worst damage is on flowers which become spotted and distorted. The worst damage is on flowers which are spotted and distorted. Learn more and how to control thrips from your houseplants.
Cyclamen Mites are minute mites, looking like a film of dust on the underside of leaves. The pests will flourish in humid conditions. Infested houseplants are stunted, have curled leaf edges, twisted stems and withered flower buds. Learn more and how to control cyclamen mites from your houseplants.
Nematodes also called eelworms are microscopic soil-living worms whose presence is marked by plant collapse for no apparent reason. Learn more and how to control nematodes from your houseplants.
The adult bettles of the vine weevil attack the leaves but it is the creamy-white grubs (larvae) which causes the real damage. They live in the soil where they rapidly devour roots, bulbs and tubers. Learn more and how to control vine weevil from your houseplants.
Earwig is a dark-brown pest with a pincer-like tail. It hides during the day and feeds at night on the leaves and the flower buds. Learn more and how to control earwig from your houseplants.
Many types of caterpillars can infest houseplants but rarely do they attack plants that are grown indoors. The caterpillars vary in color from green, red, brown or black.Learn more and how to control caterpillars from your houseplants.
Water is one of the major requirements for the proper growth of houseplants and without water a houseplant will die. Providing water for a houseplant is key and not just water. Read more »
It is important to maintain the right temperature range for your houseplants. If the temperature is not right, growth may suffer. Read more »
Light is a major component required by houseplants in making their own food for growth and energy in the process called photosynthesis. Read more »
Sometimes the indoor air can be very dry but very few houseplants can tolerate dry air. Employ these techniques. Read more »
Feeding houseplants involves providing them with the nutrients they require for growth and good health. Plants need an adequate supply of nutrients. Read more »
Pruning houseplants is meant to control growth of the houseplants, rejuvenate growth and keep the plant neat and attractive. Read more »