spider mites on Aglaonema
Quick answer
If your Aglaonema has spider mites, the most likely cause is: Nissen's Indoor Plant Bible lists Aglaonema commutatum as susceptible to spider mites alongside aphids, scale insects, and mealy bugs. These tiny arachnids pierce individual cells on the leaf undersides of the Chinese evergreen and drain chlorophyll-bearing tissue, producing a stippled, faded appearance that progresses to fine webbing in heavy infestations during dry indoor air.
Start here:
- 1. Increase ambient humidity around the plant by misting the foliage with room-temperature water or placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water to discourage dry-air mite flare-ups.
- 2. Spray the entire plant, including leaf undersides, with insecticidal soap after testing for tolerance on a single leaf; reapply weekly for 3 to 4 weeks to interrupt the mite life cycle of eggs, larvae, and adults.
Why Aglaonema gets spider mites
Aglaonema
Nissen's Indoor Plant Bible lists Aglaonema commutatum as susceptible to spider mites alongside aphids, scale insects, and mealy bugs. These tiny arachnids pierce individual cells on the leaf undersides of the Chinese evergreen and drain chlorophyll-bearing tissue, producing a stippled, faded appearance that progresses to fine webbing in heavy infestations during dry indoor air.
How to reverse spider mites on Aglaonema
- 1
Increase ambient humidity around the plant by misting the foliage with room-temperature water or placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water to discourage dry-air mite flare-ups.
- 2
Spray the entire plant, including leaf undersides, with insecticidal soap after testing for tolerance on a single leaf; reapply weekly for 3 to 4 weeks to interrupt the mite life cycle of eggs, larvae, and adults.
- 3
Rinse the foliage under a gentle stream of lukewarm water to physically dislodge mites and webbing from the leaf surfaces before applying any spray treatment.
Keep spider mites off this Aglaonema
Maintain 40 to 60 percent ambient humidity during winter heating months, since spider mite populations explode when indoor air is dry. Inspect leaf undersides weekly with a magnifier for early detection and quarantine new arrivals for at least 14 days before integrating them into the collection.