The Most Common Houseplant Pests (And How to Get Rid of Them)

Pests can damage even the healthiest plants. Here are the most common ones and how to treat them effectively.

1. Spider Mites

• Symptoms: Webbing on leaves, yellow spots.
• Treatment: Neem oil, insecticidal soap, increase humidity.

2. Aphids

• Symptoms: Sticky residue, clusters on stems.
• Treatment: Spray with water, neem oil, or insecticidal soap.

3. Fungus Gnats

• Symptoms: Tiny flies around soil.
• Treatment: Let soil dry, use sticky traps, add sand to topsoil.

4. Mealybugs

• Symptoms: Cotton-like white clumps.
• Treatment: Wipe with alcohol-soaked cotton swab, neem oil.

5. Scale Insects

• Symptoms: Brown bumps on stems.
• Treatment: Scrape off, use horticultural oil.

🐞 Petalum lets you log pest issues so you can track treatments and prevent re-infestations.