Pests And Diseases Of Houseplants

The most common diseases that your houseplants might suffer from are:

Black leg.
Botrytis.
Leaf spot.
Powdery mildew.
Root rot.
Rust.
Sooty mold.
Various viruses.

What are the little bugs on my indoor plants?

Gnats in houseplants are annoying. Known as fungus gnats, they're actually small flies about 1/8-inch long that are drawn to moist potting soil and decaying plant material at the base of indoor plants. While they look similar to mosquitoes, they don't bite.

What do houseplant bugs look like?

There are many different species, each with a unique appearance, but the most common houseplant pest scales look like little bumps and are found along the stems and on leaf undersides. Scale insects often have a hard, shell-like covering that makes them difficult to spot and control.

What indoor conditions can contribute to pest problems?

When a houseplant looks less than healthy, most often it is the result of improper care. Factors such as too much or too little water, light, heat or fertilizer can cause many plant problems. However, in some cases the problem results from a pest infestation. Several insects and other pests feed on houseplants.

What causes brown spots on leaves of houseplants?

Water-soaked black and brown spots on plant leaves and stems often indicate a fungal or bacterial disease is the problem. Adjust the watering schedule and do not allow plants to sit in excess water. Often that alone is enough to stop the disease's progress. Remove and dispose of any soft, discolored stems and leaves.

How do I get rid of bugs on my houseplants?

Pests

To get rid of bugs in houseplants, push a clove of garlic into the plant's soil. ...
Spider mites are apt to thrive in warm, dry houses. ...
Small flies may occasionally appear around houseplants. ...
Your houseplants may sprout bugs once brought inside your house because they no longer have outdoor predators.

How do I get rid of bugs in my house plants soil?

Water the plants thoroughly using a solution of water and three percent hydrogen peroxide. Use 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 3 parts water. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural substance that will help kill bugs and release oxygen into the soil. The oxygen will promote healthy root growth.

How do you identify indoor plant pests?

Common houseplant pests

Scale are primarily immobile insects that stick themselves to stems and leaves. ...
Mealybugs are a type of cottony, mobile scale that often can be seen in clumps on your houseplants. ...
Aphids are another plant-sucking insect that often congregate in large numbers.

How do you stop indoor plant pests?

Here are some prevention tips.

Buy plants from reputable sources.
Inspect plants before buying.
Regularly check for infestations.
Never use garden soil instead of potting compost as it may contain weed seeds, pests, or diseases.
Avoid leaving dead flowers and leaves around plants.

How do you get rid of fungus on plants?

Combine one tablespoon baking soda and one-half teaspoon of liquid, non-detergent soap with one gallon of water, and spray the mixture liberally on the plants. Mouthwash. The mouthwash you may use on a daily basis for killing the germs in your mouth can also be effective at killing powdery mildew spores.

How often should I spray my plants for bugs?

Repeat Treatment: Insect infestations often require a second treatment with insecticidal soap in a week or so, and possibly even a third. For severe problems, you may want to apply several days in a row, then follow up a week or two later.

How do you get rid of aphids permanently?

How to Get Rid of Aphids

Try spraying cold water on the leaves; sometimes all aphids need is a cool blast to dislodge them. ...
If you have a large aphid invasion, dust plants with flour. ...
Neem oil, insecticidal soaps, and horticultural oils are effective against aphids.

How do you kill soil mites?

Dilute 1 tsp. of cinnamon to 4 cups water and leave the solution for the cinnamon to settle. You can then pour the solution on the soil to kill soil mites and bugs attracted to decaying plants. Leave 3 to 4 cloves in one gallon of water for at least three to four days.

How do you get rid of leaf spot disease?

Managing leaf spot diseases

Rake up and destroy fallen leaves before the first snowfall to eliminate locations where diseases can survive to re-infect the plant the following growing season.
Do not overcrowd plants — use size at maturity as a spacing guide when planting.

How do you treat brown spots on leaves?

For organic treatment, there are several safe and convenient treatments available. Most contain sulfur or copper octanate. Or you can try a more traditional treatment by spraying with a mild solution of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), using ½ teaspoon per gallon (2.5 mL.

Can you cut brown tips off plants?

You can trim off brown tips or edges without removing the entire leaf. Using your sharp plant shears, follow the natural shape of the leaf. ... If leaves are constantly turning brown, make sure your plant is getting enough sun, water, and fertilizer.

Is soapy water bad for plants?

Soapy wash water from dishes or laundry will help keep plants alive in an emergency, but you should be aware of certain possible problems. Chlorine. Bleaches commonly contain chlorine, which can damage plants, particularly if it touches the foliage.

Is it normal to have bugs in houseplants?

No, it is not normal to have bugs in your houseplants. Don't feel bad about it though, because it is a very common problem. But you don't have to just live with it. You can eliminate them, and have bug-free indoor plants!

Does vinegar kill bugs on plants?

White vinegar blasts bugs on plants as an ingredient in a homemade soap spray. Mix 3 cups water and 1 cup vinegar in a spray bottle and add 1 teaspoon of dish soap. Spray it on plants, including trees and shrubs, to get rid of pests. Direct the spray at the underside of the leaves to make contact with whitefly eggs.

How do I get rid of pill bugs in my potted plants?

Another home remedy consists of one tablespoon of cayenne pepper, 2 tbs of household detergent, 1 quart of rubbing alcohol, all added to a gallon of water. Spray this in the area, or drench infested places. Chemical gardeners spray the soil with Sevin.

Is peroxide good for plants?

Hydrogen peroxide helps encourage healthy root growth because of the extra oxygen molecule. Oxygen can help plant roots absorb nutrients from the soil. Therefore, this extra bit of oxygen better enables the roots to absorb more nutrients, which means faster, healthier, and more vigorous growth.