spider mites on Philodendron Moonlight
Quick answer
If your Philodendron Moonlight has spider mites, the most likely cause is: Philodendron moonlight is a tropical aroid that suffers when indoor humidity drops; in dry, warm air, microscopic red spider mites colonise the leaf undersides and stem axils, fine webbing appears at the joints, and the leaves become mottled, turn grey or brown, and finally crumble as the mites pierce cells and drain the contents.
Start here:
- 1. Spray the plant vigorously with clear lukewarm water from above and below to physically break the fine webs and dislodge mites, paying particular attention to leaf axils and the undersides of leaves.
- 2. Follow the water rinse with a thorough application of an organic miticide such as a neem oil spray, repeating at seven to ten day intervals until no new webbing forms.
Why Philodendron Moonlight gets spider mites
philodendron moonlight
Philodendron moonlight is a tropical aroid that suffers when indoor humidity drops; in dry, warm air, microscopic red spider mites colonise the leaf undersides and stem axils, fine webbing appears at the joints, and the leaves become mottled, turn grey or brown, and finally crumble as the mites pierce cells and drain the contents.
How to reverse spider mites on Philodendron Moonlight
- 1
Spray the plant vigorously with clear lukewarm water from above and below to physically break the fine webs and dislodge mites, paying particular attention to leaf axils and the undersides of leaves.
- 2
Follow the water rinse with a thorough application of an organic miticide such as a neem oil spray, repeating at seven to ten day intervals until no new webbing forms.
Keep spider mites off this Philodendron Moonlight
Maintain moderate indoor humidity by grouping tropical plants, using a pebble tray, or running a humidifier, and wipe leaves weekly with a damp cloth to deter mite colonisation before populations build.