spider mites on Watermelon Peperomia
Quick answer
If your Watermelon Peperomia has spider mites, the most likely cause is: Peperomia argyreia is documented in The indoor plant bible as a host for spider mites, which are listed alongside aphids, scale insects, white fly, and gray mold as pests that attack this compact, fleshy-leaved houseplant. Spider mites thrive in dry indoor air, so a Peperomia kept in a low-humidity room offers the exact dry microclimate the mites need to colonize the underside of its silver-green, watermelon-patterned leaves.
Start here:
- 1. Check under the leaves for spider mites and cut away the affected parts, then spray the plant with insect soap and/or release a biological control.
- 2. Raise humidity around the plant by misting the leaves frequently with a hand-spray, because spider mites thrive in dry conditions and damp foliage suppresses their reproduction.
Why Watermelon Peperomia gets spider mites
Peperomia argyreia
Peperomia argyreia is documented in The indoor plant bible as a host for spider mites, which are listed alongside aphids, scale insects, white fly, and gray mold as pests that attack this compact, fleshy-leaved houseplant. Spider mites thrive in dry indoor air, so a Peperomia kept in a low-humidity room offers the exact dry microclimate the mites need to colonize the underside of its silver-green, watermelon-patterned leaves.
How to reverse spider mites on Watermelon Peperomia
- 1
Check under the leaves for spider mites and cut away the affected parts, then spray the plant with insect soap and/or release a biological control.
- 2
Raise humidity around the plant by misting the leaves frequently with a hand-spray, because spider mites thrive in dry conditions and damp foliage suppresses their reproduction.
Keep spider mites off this Watermelon Peperomia
Mist the leaves of Peperomia argyreia frequently with a hand-spray to maintain high humidity, since the plant already prefers high humidity and dry indoor air is what allows spider mites to establish and reproduce on the foliage.