spider mites on Silver Sword Philodendron
Quick answer
If your Silver Sword Philodendron has spider mites, the most likely cause is: Red spider mites are a classic pest of vining philodendrons such as P. hastatum, especially when the indoor air is hot and dry; the mites feed on the leaf surface and leave fine webs at the leaf and stem axils, mottled foliage that turns gray, brown, or eventually crumbles, and they are one of the named causes of brown, dying lower leaves on philodendrons kept in average home humidity.
Start here:
- 1. Spray the whole plant above and below the leaves with a vigorous jet of clear water to break the webs and dislodge the mites, repeating weekly as part of routine foliage care so eggs do not build back up.
- 2. If webs and mottling persist, treat with a miticide such as dicofol (Kelthane) or aramite, sprayed on the whole plant including the undersides of the arrow-shaped P. hastatum leaves.
Why Silver Sword Philodendron gets spider mites
Philodendron hastatum
Red spider mites are a classic pest of vining philodendrons such as P. hastatum, especially when the indoor air is hot and dry; the mites feed on the leaf surface and leave fine webs at the leaf and stem axils, mottled foliage that turns gray, brown, or eventually crumbles, and they are one of the named causes of brown, dying lower leaves on philodendrons kept in average home humidity.
How to reverse spider mites on Silver Sword Philodendron
- 1
Spray the whole plant above and below the leaves with a vigorous jet of clear water to break the webs and dislodge the mites, repeating weekly as part of routine foliage care so eggs do not build back up.
- 2
If webs and mottling persist, treat with a miticide such as dicofol (Kelthane) or aramite, sprayed on the whole plant including the undersides of the arrow-shaped P. hastatum leaves.
Keep spider mites off this Silver Sword Philodendron
Mist or wipe the foliage at least once a week with clear, tepid water to discourage mites from settling, keep average humidity around the plant, and inspect new plants for fine webbing before placing them next to the silver sword philodendron.