Spider Mites on peace lily
What's Happening
Spider mites are tiny pests that thrive in dry indoor air (below 40% humidity). On peace lilies, they cause stippling, webbing, and leaf drop. Treatment is complicated when plants have active blooms - standard insecticidal soap can damage flowers. Spider mites spread quickly and must be treated aggressively to prevent infestation of nearby plants.
How to Fix It
- 1
Inspect closely: look for fine webbing on leaf undersides and stems, tiny moving dots, or stippled/discolored leaves
- 2
Start with gentle approach: hose or shower plant to dislodge mites - avoid saturating blooms if possible
- 3
If mites persist: apply insecticidal soap or neem oil at dusk, shielding blooms with plastic wrap or rinsing flowers immediately after
- 4
Increase humidity to 60%+ via humidifier, pebble tray, or grouping plants - spider mites hate moisture
- 5
Treat weekly for 3-4 weeks to break the lifecycle; isolate plant from others during treatment
- 6
Prune heavily infested leaves to reduce mite population
How to Prevent It
Maintain 50-70% humidity consistently - spider mites cannot thrive in moist air. Mist leaves regularly or use humidifiers. Inspect plants weekly, especially leaf undersides. Quarantine new plants for 2 weeks. Keep peace lilies away from heating vents and drafts that create dry conditions.