spider mites on Calathea Ornata
Quick answer
If your Calathea Ornata has spider mites, the most likely cause is: Spider mites are the most common pest on Calathea ornata; they thrive in the warm indoor conditions the plant needs and colonize the undersides of the thin tropical leaves, with red spider mites the typical species flagged for the Calathea / peacock-plant group.
Start here:
- 1. Wash every leaf and stem with a gentle stream of water to physically dislodge the mites, then wipe the foliage down with a castile-soap-and-water solution (1 Tbsp / 15 ml castile soap in 3 oz / 1 L of water), and finish with a final plain-water rinse.
- 2. Inspect the undersides of the leaves weekly and isolate the plant from nearby houseplants at the first sign of webbing; do not spray Calathea ornata with neem oil, which causes the leaves to turn yellow and fall off on this species.
Why Calathea Ornata gets spider mites
calathea ornata
Spider mites are the most common pest on Calathea ornata; they thrive in the warm indoor conditions the plant needs and colonize the undersides of the thin tropical leaves, with red spider mites the typical species flagged for the Calathea / peacock-plant group.
How to reverse spider mites on Calathea Ornata
- 1
Wash every leaf and stem with a gentle stream of water to physically dislodge the mites, then wipe the foliage down with a castile-soap-and-water solution (1 Tbsp / 15 ml castile soap in 3 oz / 1 L of water), and finish with a final plain-water rinse.
- 2
Inspect the undersides of the leaves weekly and isolate the plant from nearby houseplants at the first sign of webbing; do not spray Calathea ornata with neem oil, which causes the leaves to turn yellow and fall off on this species.
Keep spider mites off this Calathea Ornata
Keep humidity high around Calathea ornata with a humidifier, pebble tray, or frequent misting, and wipe leaves periodically with a damp cloth so spider mites cannot establish on the foliage.