Aphids on spider plant
What's Happening
Aphids (family Aphididae) colonize tender new growth and plantlet axils of spider plants, feeding on phloem sap and excreting sticky honeydew that attracts ants and promotes sooty mold. These soft-bodied pests reproduce parthenogenetically—females give birth to live nymphs every 7-10 days without mating, enabling explosive population growth. The dangling plantlets serve as ideal colonization vectors.
How to Fix It
- 1
Quarantine affected plants immediately; inspect all nearby plants even without visible pests
- 2
Rinse entire plant with strong stream of lukewarm water, targeting undersides of leaves
- 3
Apply insecticidal soap spray to all plant surfaces 2-3 times weekly for 2-4 weeks
- 4
For persistent infestations, introduce beneficial predators like lacewing larvae
- 5
Prune and dispose of heavily infested plantlets and new growth
How to Prevent It
Quarantine all new plants for 14 days minimum with weekly inspections. Maintain 40-60% humidity with good airflow. Space plants 30-50cm apart. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers. Inspect plantlets specifically before propagation.