spider mites on Calathea Rufibarba Bluegrass
Quick answer
If your Calathea Rufibarba Bluegrass has spider mites, the most likely cause is: Spider mites are the most common pest of indoor calatheas including calathea rufibarba; the Indoor Plant Bible lists spider mites specifically as a pest of the calathea genus (including C. rufibarba), and Beginner's Houseplant Garden singles out spider mites as the number one pest of the calathea (prayer plant) group, thriving in the warm, dry indoor air that develops around potted specimens kept away from a humidifier.
Start here:
- 1. Wash all the leaves and stems with a gentle stream of water, then wipe with a mixture of castile soap and water, and finally rinse again with water (Beginner's Houseplant Garden: combine 1 Tbsp. (15ml) of castile soap with 3 oz. (1 L) of water; shake well and use immediately).
- 2. Avoid neem oil on calatheas — it will cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off; rely on soapy rinses plus a humidity boost (frequent misting, a humidifier, or a pebble tray) and stable 65–77°F (18–25°C) temperatures instead.
Why Calathea Rufibarba Bluegrass gets spider mites
calathea rufibarba bluegrass
Spider mites are the most common pest of indoor calatheas including calathea rufibarba; the Indoor Plant Bible lists spider mites specifically as a pest of the calathea genus (including C. rufibarba), and Beginner's Houseplant Garden singles out spider mites as the number one pest of the calathea (prayer plant) group, thriving in the warm, dry indoor air that develops around potted specimens kept away from a humidifier.
How to reverse spider mites on Calathea Rufibarba Bluegrass
- 1
Wash all the leaves and stems with a gentle stream of water, then wipe with a mixture of castile soap and water, and finally rinse again with water (Beginner's Houseplant Garden: combine 1 Tbsp. (15ml) of castile soap with 3 oz. (1 L) of water; shake well and use immediately).
- 2
Avoid neem oil on calatheas — it will cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off; rely on soapy rinses plus a humidity boost (frequent misting, a humidifier, or a pebble tray) and stable 65–77°F (18–25°C) temperatures instead.
Keep spider mites off this Calathea Rufibarba Bluegrass
Keep calathea rufibarba bluegrass in bright indirect light, raise humidity with frequent misting or a humidifier (calatheas want high humidity, like the rainforest understory), water with distilled water or rainwater (not tap), and inspect the undersides of the leaves regularly so any early mite webbing is caught before the colony spreads.