spider mites on Philodendron Pink Princess
Quick answer
If your Philodendron Pink Princess has spider mites, the most likely cause is: Spider mites are microscopic red relatives of spiders that thrive in the warm, dry indoor air that philodendrons dislike. They colonize the undersides of leaves and the leaf-to-stem axils, where they pierce cells and suck out the contents, leaving fine webs, stippled or mottled foliage, and eventually gray-brown crumbling leaves. Pink Princess is not uniquely susceptible, but its slower growth means an infestation does more visible damage per leaf before the plant can outpace it.
Start here:
- 1. Rinse the entire plant in the sink or shower with a firm spray of lukewarm water, hitting the undersides of leaves and the leaf axils to physically dislodge mites and break their webs
- 2. Wipe foliage weekly with a damp cloth to remove eggs and discourage reinfestation; isolate the plant from other houseplants during treatment
Why Philodendron Pink Princess gets spider mites
philodendron pink princess
Spider mites are microscopic red relatives of spiders that thrive in the warm, dry indoor air that philodendrons dislike. They colonize the undersides of leaves and the leaf-to-stem axils, where they pierce cells and suck out the contents, leaving fine webs, stippled or mottled foliage, and eventually gray-brown crumbling leaves. Pink Princess is not uniquely susceptible, but its slower growth means an infestation does more visible damage per leaf before the plant can outpace it.
How to reverse spider mites on Philodendron Pink Princess
- 1
Rinse the entire plant in the sink or shower with a firm spray of lukewarm water, hitting the undersides of leaves and the leaf axils to physically dislodge mites and break their webs
- 2
Wipe foliage weekly with a damp cloth to remove eggs and discourage reinfestation; isolate the plant from other houseplants during treatment
- 3
If webs persist after two rinses, treat with a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap labeled for houseplants, coating upper and lower leaf surfaces and repeating per the label
- 4
Increase ambient humidity around the plant, because spider mites prefer dry conditions and a more humid microclimate slows their reproduction
- 5
Quarantine any new philodendron or aroid for two to four weeks before placing it near Pink Princess to prevent bringing in hitchhiking mites
Keep spider mites off this Philodendron Pink Princess
Keep ambient humidity moderate to high, mist or wipe foliage weekly, inspect leaf undersides regularly, and quarantine new arrivals to stop mites from establishing.