spider mites on Ficus Elastica Shivereana
Quick answer
If your Ficus Elastica Shivereana has spider mites, the most likely cause is: Spider mites are tiny spider-like pests that thrive on houseplants whenever the growing conditions turn hot and dry, which is exactly the dry indoor air that variegated Ficus elastica cultivars such as 'Shivereana' sit in during winter; they puncture the foliage to feed, producing a stippling effect on the leaves and, in extreme infestations, fine webbing across the foliage, and most general insecticides are ineffective because mites are arachnids, not insects.
Start here:
- 1. Wash the foliage off with a strong stream of warm water to physically dislodge the mites and their webbing, paying attention to the undersides of the leaves where they shelter.
- 2. Follow the rinse with insecticidal soap, All Seasons Horticultural Oil, or Orthene, and reapply on the schedule the product label calls for because these products kill on contact and are not residual.
Why Ficus Elastica Shivereana gets spider mites
ficus elastica shivereana
Spider mites are tiny spider-like pests that thrive on houseplants whenever the growing conditions turn hot and dry, which is exactly the dry indoor air that variegated Ficus elastica cultivars such as 'Shivereana' sit in during winter; they puncture the foliage to feed, producing a stippling effect on the leaves and, in extreme infestations, fine webbing across the foliage, and most general insecticides are ineffective because mites are arachnids, not insects.
How to reverse spider mites on Ficus Elastica Shivereana
- 1
Wash the foliage off with a strong stream of warm water to physically dislodge the mites and their webbing, paying attention to the undersides of the leaves where they shelter.
- 2
Follow the rinse with insecticidal soap, All Seasons Horticultural Oil, or Orthene, and reapply on the schedule the product label calls for because these products kill on contact and are not residual.
Keep spider mites off this Ficus Elastica Shivereana
Keep the Ficus elastica 'Shivereana' properly watered and out of hot, dry locations by maintaining moderate humidity around the plant and giving it bright diffused light, since spider-mite outbreaks are triggered when the plant is left to dry out in combination with low humidity.