Common Pests on Exotic Plants (And How to Get Rid of Them)

Even the most well-cared-for plant collection can fall victim to pests. The key is catching them early. Here's what to look for and how to act fast.

The Most Common Culprits:

1. Spider Mites — Signs: Fine webbing on leaves, tiny dots, yellowing. Fix: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

2. Fungus Gnats — Signs: Tiny flies hovering around soil, larvae in topsoil. Fix: Let soil dry out more between waterings; use sticky traps or a hydrogen peroxide soil drench.

3. Mealybugs — Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf joints and undersides. Fix: Dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab; follow up with neem oil spray.

4. Scale — Signs: Brown bumps on stems and leaves that don't wipe off easily. Fix: Scrape off manually, then treat with neem oil or horticultural oil.

5. Thrips — Signs: Silver streaks or stippling on leaves, distorted new growth. Fix: Spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad; repeat weekly for 3–4 weeks.

Prevention tips:

• Always quarantine new plants for 1–2 weeks before adding them to your collection

• Inspect the undersides of leaves regularly

• Keep humidity levels appropriate for your plant 🌿