Despite its name, spider plants don't attract spiders. It can, however, suffer from insect infestations (like most plants). Common spider plant infestations can come from scales, aphids, mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies.
You can treat it with insecticidal soap. Put a little bit of dish soap into a spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Spray the entire plant, making sure to get the bottoms of the leaves and any nooks where the bugs could be hiding. Let it dry then rinse it off in the shower.
Spider plant generally has few pest problems other than scale insects and mealybugs. Tip burn of the leaves is a common problem that can have many causes. Low humidity, excessively dry soil, salt accumulation and/or chemicals, particularly fluoride or chlorine, in tap water may cause brown leaf tips.
The first thing you're likely to notice is patterns of silvery dots or stippling on the leaves of your plant. Looking closer, you will see small, delicate webs in corners of stems or underneath leaves with what look like tiny white dots scattered throughout.
Light Requirements Here's where Spider Plants are most adaptable. They prefer nice bright light, near but not in a window unless it's a north or east exposure. Being in a south or west window will cause the plant to sunburn, but near is fine. Whatever the exposure, make sure they're not touching hot or cold glass.
Bug Infestation
Despite its name, spider plants don't attract spiders. It can, however, suffer from insect infestations (like most plants). Common spider plant infestations can come from scales, aphids, mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies.
Should You Cut the Brown Tips Off Spider Plants? You can cut the brown tips off your spider plant to get back the aesthetically pleasing appearance of your green companion. The damaged fronds may not affect your plant's overall health but pruning them will make your spider plant look so much better.
The label is the final authority on how you may legally use any pesticide. If the infestation is severe with most of the plant being covered with spider mites the best control option is to discard the plant.
Aphid feeding can cause severe damage to plants including yellow spots on leaves and blighting. Early stage symptom of aphid feeding include small spots with silver color on the upper side of the leaves. Aphid adults and cast skin can be seen on the underside of leaves and in severe infestation can also been on stem.
The best thing about spider plants is their low-maintenance needs, making them a perfect choice for beginner gardening enthusiasts. While bright, indirect light and well-draining soil are highly recommended for these plants, they can tolerate lower light conditions and occasional neglect, too.
🐦 Birds and Groundhogs. Birds may peck at Spider Plants, sometimes causing significant damage, while groundhogs are known for their voracious appetites, often eating entire plants.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
They appreciate the nutrient boost from coffee grounds. Benefits: Enhances foliage growth. Helps maintain soil health.
Q: Do I need to repot my plant after treating it for Spider Mites? A: No, but this is a great question! Spider mites have their entire life cycle above the soil on the leaves of plants which means, no need to repot, whew!
How often should I water my spider plant? A light drink every week or so is all your spider plant needs, watering less frequently in autumn and winter. You're just looking to dampen the compost. A good way to check if it needs watering is to dip your finger into the soil, up to the second knuckle.
An adult fungus gnat lives only a few days, but a female can lay up to 200 eggs during her short lifespan. Larvae hatch in about four days and feed for a couple of weeks before pupating. After another three or four days, they emerge as the next generation of flying spider plant gnats.
To the naked eye, spider mites look like tiny, moving dots. Use a magnifying lens to see them. Adults are less than 1⁄20 inch long and have eight legs, an oval body, and two colored eyespots near the end of the head.
Thrips are small, winged insects with rasping-sucking mouthparts. They are generally less than 1/8th of an inch long. Their bodies are elongated, more like a grain of rice than the rounded shape of aphids and mites. Thrips can be yellow, brown, or black.
If a treatment for mites is necessary, use selective materials, preferably insecticidal soap or insecticidal oil. Both petroleum-based horticultural oils and plant-based oils such as neem, canola, or cottonseed oils are acceptable.
Increase humidity in the area around the plant by watering overhead or misting the plants. (Note: wet leaves can contribute to plant disease). Remove and destroy affected plants, when practical. Maintain diverse garden habitat to encourage predatory mites and insects that will help control two-spotted spider mites.
Likewise, you can help repel spider mites by planting cilantro and dill, two herbs they dislike. Keep your garden and nearby areas weed-free.
Your Spider Plant will do well in normal household humidity but will thrive with a bit more humidity. Brown leaf tips may indicate the air is too dry, so mist your Spider Plant regularly using a Mister.
A: For propagation purposes, you can cut or leave the babies on the spider plant and root them while still connected to the stolons. If you don't intend to multiply the plant, you should cut the spiderettes during pruning sessions.