Keep your indoor jungle pest-free for a happy, healthy green space!

One of the number one reasons people don't get involved with indoor plants? Fear of pests. While plants enhance the beauty of your home and have a profound impact on your mental and physical well-being, a common worry among many is the possibility of indoor plants attracting pests and how it may affect your plant growth. While it's a valid concern, it's important to separate fact from fiction when it comes to this topic. Let's explore whether houseplants truly attract insects and how to manage any potential issues.

Do Houseplants Attract Insects?

Proper Care Reduces the Risk

Do all Houseplants Attract Insects Equally?

How To Manage Pests

Do houseplants attract insects?

The short answer is yes, they can. Just as plants in outdoor gardens can attract insects, indoor plants are also susceptible to pest infestations. However, the degree to which houseplants attract insects depends on various factors, including the type of plant, its health, and the conditions in your home. Some plants are naturally more resistant to pests (for example, Olive Trees are naturally pest resistant!) while others may be more prone to attracting them, especially if they are stressed or not properly cared for.

Proper Care Reduces the Risk

One of the most effective ways to minimize the risk of insect infestations and damages to your plant’s stems and foliage is by providing proper care for your houseplants. Healthy, well-maintained plants are more resilient against pests. Ensure your plants receive adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients. Avoid overwatering, which can create conditions like root rot conducive to pest breeding, and regularly inspect your plants for signs of pest activity.

Do all Houseplants Attract Insects Equally?

Say goodbye to pesky pests with Neem Oil!

Not all houseplants attract insects to the same extent. Some plants, such as succulents, spider plants, Olive Trees and bamboo, are less attractive to pests compared to others. Additionally, certain factors, such as the plant's scent or the presence of flowers, may influence its attractiveness to insects. Sometimes, immature plants can be more prone to pests. By selecting plant varieties known for their pest resistance and strategically placing them in your home, you can help mitigate the risk of insect infestations. Here are a few plants that are pest resistant:

• Dragon Tree

• Olive Tree

• Snake Plant

• Cast Iron Plant

How To Manage Pests

Despite your best efforts, you may still encounter pests on your houseplants. If you notice signs of infestation, such as visible insects, sticky residue on leaves, or wilting foliage, it's essential to take action promptly. Begin by isolating the affected plant to prevent the pests from spreading to other plants. Then, depending on the severity of the infestation, you can employ various control methods and learn how to get rid of pests such as:

• Manual Removal: Pick off insects by hand or prune affected parts of the plant.

• Natural Remedies: Use natural insecticides and pesticides like soaps or horticulture oil, such as neem oil, to treat infested plants.

• Environment: Adjust environmental conditions, such as humidity levels and air circulation, to discourage pest activity.

Check out our full blog post on common indoor plant pests to learn more about pests such as Mites, Thrips, Aphids, and Fungas Gnats.

At Léon and George, we're on a mission to bring the beauty of nature into your daily life. Our hand-selected, California-grown tropical plants such as the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, Ficus Audrey, and Bird of Paradise are carefully chosen for their quality, health, and beauty. We believe in simplicity, fairness, and sustainability, sourcing our plants from trusted local growers who share our values. When you bring a Léon and George plant into your home, you're not just getting greenery – you're getting a piece of nature treated with our all-natural products and staged for optimal growth. We're here to make plant ownership accessible and enjoyable for everyone, fostering a connection between people and the natural world.

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Yellow sticky traps, photo credit: @j.l.perrone

Having some pesty problems around your plants? Fungus gnats are common pests of indoor plants, and though they are not immediately harmful to your plants (or you— they don’t bite), these flying bugs can be annoying and are generally an indication of overwatering.

There are two lifecycles to cover— adult gnats flying around and larvae finding home in the soil. While gnats flying around your plant or home can be annoying, the latter can cause problems and damage your plant’s roots. Here are different methods to control both stages and get rid of gnats once and for all.

• Dry out soil - Gnats and their larvae need moisture to survive. Try drying out the soil completely before watering again. 

• Homemade dish soap spray - combine 1 tablespoon of dish soap with a quart of water. Test the spray on one leaf before applying to the rest. 

• Potato slices - Cut up 1 inch cubes of potatoes and bury them just below the surface. Wait 4-8 hours as it attracts the larvae, then dispose of the slices.

• Neem oil - Neem oil is an all-natural pest solution that effectively treats common infestations. Our Super Neem Oil is an ideal blend formulated with lemon-eucalyptus essential oil for extra protection and a delightful aroma.

• Sticky traps - As pictured above, not the cutest plant decor in the world, but pretty effective if you’ve got an infestation on hand.

• The strong stuff - if gnats become a recurring issue, find a solution with Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis or Bti, which you can easily find on Amazon. 

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While indoor plants can live for years with zero pest problems, there is always a possibility for an infestation if not careful. And while a few bugs may coexist with a plant without causing major harm, the real problem arises when a small infestation quickly multiplies into a full-blown invasion. Excessive feeding by insects can cause significant damage to your plants, and there's also a risk of pests spreading from one plant to others nearby. To ensure the well-being of your houseplants, it's essential to learn how to identify common indoor insect pests and effectively control them.

As a preventative measure, keep your plants clean by regularly wiping down the leaves with water and a gentle soap or neem oil, an all natural pest control solution that also acts as a leaf shine. 

Keep reading to see the most common types of pests on houseplants, how to identify them and how to treat them.

1. Mealybugs

2. Spider Mites

3. Scale Insects

4. Fungus Gnats

5. Aphids

6. Thrips

7. White Flies

8. Preventation

Mealybugs

Mealybugs

Mealybugs are soft-bodied insects that leave white cottony masses along stems and beneath leaves. They use their mouth parts to feed on plant sap, potentially causing damage. To prevent infestations, inspect your plants before bringing them indoors. 

How to treat Mealybugs

If you notice a fuzzy white mass on leaves and stems, it's a sign of a full-blown attack. Take action early by washing the bugs off the plant and regularly inspecting your houseplants to catch and control mealy bugs before they become unmanageable.

Read our full article on how to treat mealybugs on houseplants

Spider Mites

Spider Mites

These tiny creatures lay eggs and feed on the undersides of leaves, leaving webbed areas, yellowing foliage, and debris. They are most common in hot, dry conditions, making summer the prime season for spider mite infestations.

How to treat for spidermites

To keep spider mites at bay, maintain moist conditions by using humidifiers or periodically misting your plants with water. Adding peat moss to the potting mix can also help.

Read our full article on how to treat spider mites on plants

Scale Insects

Scale Insects

Scale insects appear as smooth, rounded bumps on stems and leaves. They feed on plant sap and can remain in one location for an extended period. 

How to treat for scale on houseplants

To eliminate scale insects, manually remove them using a fingernail or soft toothbrush. Rinse the plants with water to dislodge bugs from between leaves. Follow up with an insecticide to kill any remaining larvae, using neem oil or insecticidal soap based on the severity of the infestation.

Read our full article on how to treat scale on houseplants

Fungus Gnats

Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats are tiny flies that are attracted to moist soil, laying eggs there and causing an infestation. The emerging larvae feed on decomposing organic matter and plant roots. 

How to treat for fungus gnats

To deal with fungus gnats, allow the soil to dry between waterings to kill larvae and deter egg-laying females. Regularly spray with neem oil until the fungus gnats no longer appear.

Aphids

Aphids

Aphids are soft-bodied insects that suck plant juices, often found on new growth and undersides of leaves. Curled, distorted new leaves and a sticky residue indicate their presence. 

How to treat for aphids

Combat aphids by spraying or wiping the leaves with a mild soapy solution every two to three days for up to two weeks.

Thrips

Thrips

White Flies

These pests can be found on the undersides of leaves or flying around plants, piercing plant tissue and causing damage. Yellow, mottled foliage and leaf drop are signs of whitefly infestation. Act quickly by blasting them off with water or using insecticidal soap spray multiple times as needed.

How to Treat for White Flies

Act quickly by washing the plant thoroughly with high pressure water or using insecticidal spray such as neem oil multiple times as needed.

Thrips are winged insects that cause damage by tearing plant tissue and sucking plant juices. Thrip-infested areas appear as brown or silvery blotches. Eliminate thrips by shaking the branches to dislodge them onto a cloth and disposing of the cloth to eliminate the bugs.

How common pest problems start

Houseplant pests can enter your home in various ways, such as through fresh produce, cut flower bouquets, potted gift plants, newly purchased plants, potting soil, clothing, or even through open windows. Understanding their entry points can help you take preventive measures.

When dealing with a pest infestation on your indoor plants, there are some general rules to follow:

1. Isolate the infected plant: As soon as you notice a bug problem, move the affected plant away from other plants to prevent the infestation from spreading.

2. Physically remove pests: Rinse the plant with water in a sink, tub, or outdoors to remove as many pests as possible from the foliage. You can also use tweezers or a paper towel to manually remove insects if the infestation is small.

3. Use rubbing alcohol: Apply rubbing alcohol directly on the insects using a spray bottle or cotton swabs. The alcohol will quickly evaporate, killing the pests without harming the plant.

4. Dish soap solution: Mix 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap with a quart of water in a hand-sprayer and spray it directly on the pests. The soapy solution suffocates the insects and helps control their population.

5. Insecticidal soap: Consider using  insecticidal soaps designed for indoor or outdoor plant pests. Follow the instructions on the product label for safe and effective use. Super Neem Oil is a highly effective and all-natural pest control that can be used as a both preventative and combative solution.

6. Manual removal: If you're not squeamish about bugs, you can manually remove them using tweezers or a paper towel. This method works well for small infestations.

7. Chemical insecticides: If the infestation is severe and other methods have failed, you can use chemical insecticides specifically formulated for houseplants. Always check the product label to ensure it targets the specific insect you're dealing with, is safe for your plant, and suitable for indoor use.

How to prevent pest infestations on houseplants

Prevention is key in keeping your houseplants pest-free. Here are some tips to avoid infestations:

1. Thoroughly inspect plants before purchasing: Avoid bringing home plants with visible signs of pests, including flying insects around them. Be wary of plants purchased at big box gardening centers, where they are often neglected or not properly cared for, making them more susceptible to pest infestations.

2. Quarantine new plants: Isolate any new houseplants for about a month and closely monitor them to ensure they are pest-free before placing them near other plants.

3. Maintain cleanliness: Remove dead foliage and periodically wash plant leaves with water and all-natural soap like L’Original (specially formulated for plants and other precious surfaces!) to keep them clean and discourage pests.

4. Regular inspections: Inspect your plants occasionally for any signs of pests. Early detection can prevent infestations from spreading.

5. Soil replacement: If a plant has experienced a severe infestation, replace the soil with fresh potting mix after treating the pests to ensure the eradication of any remaining eggs or larvae.

6. Optimal plant care: Provide your plants with the recommended amount of light, water, and fertilizer according to their specific needs. Healthy plants are more resilient to pests.

7. Avoid extreme temperatures: Keep your plants away from cold or hot drafts near windows, doors, or air ducts, as temperature stress can weaken them and make them more susceptible to infestations.

Despite your best efforts, some infestations may become too severe to salvage the plant. In such cases, it's best to discard the infested plant and replace it with a new, healthy one to protect the rest of your plants from further harm.

Remember, identifying and addressing houseplant pests promptly is crucial for maintaining the health and vitality of your indoor garden. By implementing preventive measures and taking effective control actions, you can keep your plants thriving and insect-free.

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Mealybugs look like cottony masses on the leaves or stems of plants.

1. How to get rid of mealybugs on houseplants

2. What are mealybugs?

3. What causes mealybugs on indoor plants?

4. Three ways to get rid of mealybugs

5. How to prevent mealybugs

How to get rid of mealybugs on houseplants

Mealybugs are no joke. They seemingly sprout up overnight, and can spread like wildfire in a matter of days. Wondering what these pests look like? If you see white, snowy patches on the stems or leaves of your plant, you’ve got a case of mealybugs.

What are mealybugs?

Mealybugs are wingless insects found in warm, humid environments. They often appear as white fluffy growth on the leaves, stems and fruit of plants. They feed on plants by sucking out sap and other fluids from the tissue of the plant. Though mealybugs don’t usually cause heavy damage, they can cause leaf yellowing and a generally sad-looking plant if an infestation arises.

What causes mealybugs on indoor plants?

Mealybugs can be caused by so many different things. You might see them on your plants due to one of the following sources:

• Taking your plants outside

• Bringing in fresh flowers or produce from the garden or grocery store

• Using contaminated potting soil when repotting your plants

• Bringing in a new plant unknowing that it has mealybugs (the most common!)

As mentioned, they love warm environments, so it’s not uncommon to see them during the warmer months of the year.

Three ways to get rid of mealybugs

Getting rid of mealybugs can be tough, but not impossible. Above all it is tedious and will require some patience. As always with any pest sighting, first quarantine the plant(s) so that you can prevent the mealybugs from spreading to others. Here are simple ways to get rid of mealybugs:

• Neem oil or insecticidal spray - Neem oil is a non-toxic, all-natural oil derived from the neem tree. It disrupts the growth and development of pests and has repellant properties as well. L’Alchimie Botanique’s Super Neem Oil is an excellent solution, with a pleasant lemon-eucalyptus scent to boot!

• Rubbing alcohol - Soak a cotton ball or q-tip with rubbing alcohol and gently clean all affected areas of your plant. Mealybugs like to hide so make sure to inspect your plant carefully to ensure you have cleaned all the affected areas. Repeat every few days as needed.

• Homemade dish soap spray - Soap will suffocate mealybugs. Combine 1 tablespoon of dish soap with a quart of water and spray down your plant. Test the spray on one leaf before applying to the rest, and repeat every few days as needed.

How to prevent mealybugs

One of the best ways to keep mealybugs and other pests off your plants is to keep them clean. That means regularly (once a month or so) cleaning the tops and bottoms of their leaves, and of course acting quick if you see any signs of pests.

We recommend using L’Original Black Olive Oil Soap as an all-natural plant cleaner, pest deterrent and leaf shine. Potion Magique, a natural foliar food, also has essential oils that keep pests at bay.

Another easy way to prevent mealybug problems is to avoid purchasing your plant from big box hardware stores and garden centers. Plants in stores like these are often not cared for properly and overcrowded, which can lead to weaker plants that are susceptible to disease and infestation.

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@houseplantjournal

Natural pesticides to use at home?

You’ve got options! Whether you’re dealign with mosquitoes, gnats, spiders, you name it: bugs are usually not a welcome visitor to our homes, and especially our houseplants. If you're finding any critters amongst your plants, or if you’d simply like to take preventative measures, here are a few natural remedies: 

1. Neem Oil

If you aren't familiar, spraying your plant with neem oil, a 100% natural oil derived from the neem tree, is a great way to combat pest infestations once they’ve already appeared. It also works as preventative measure against a wide variety of insects. 

2. Soap and water

Mix a tablespoon of soap in a spray bottle with water and spritz your plants to keep bugs like aphids and spider mites away. We also recommend L’Original, a black olive soil soap spray specifically formulated for plants to keep them clean and pest-free.

3. Herbal spray

essential oils from herbs like rosemary, sage, basil, and lavender can help keep bugs at bay. Simply dilute essential oils in water and spray away. Potion Magique is an herbal foliar feed designed specifically for indoor plants— it not only boosts their nutrient intake, but also keeps pests at bay!

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Insects can be a real pain for us and our houseplants. Whether they come in from outside and make homes on our plants or they develop on our greens over time, here are some tricks that can help you prevent and cope with pests.

pest prevention on houseplants

Here are some tips to help you get ahead of the problem:

• A houseplant that is stressed from inadequate light is more likely to develop insect problems than one that is growing steadily so make sure your plant is getting the light that suits its needs.

• Dust can attract insects and harbor pests like spider mites so wash leaves regularly to prevent the build-up of dust and dirt.

• Check for signs of insects with each watering because the earlier you catch any pest issues, the better chance you’ll have of controlling them.

• Herbal spray - if you aren't familiar, herbal foliar feed often has pest repellent essential oils that will do a great job keeping pests away. Check out Potion Magique, a specially formulated foliar feed and pest control.

• Soap - mild soaps act as a natural insect deterrent. Organic Black Olive Oil Spray is a great way to keep plants not only glowing but also pest-free over time.

Treatment of pests

If you've missed the warning signs and find yourself dealing with a pest issue, try some of these tips:

• Get a bottle of Super Neem Oil and douse away. Neem oil is an all-natural, powerful pesticide that smothers insects at all stages of development, from larvae to adult.

• Squish or wipe away small insects and webs with a damp cloth dipped in a mild detergent solution (e.g. standard dish soap).

• Shower your houseplants in your sink or tub with lukewarm water - this will disturb any insects that have taken home on your plants and will flush out their soil of build-up and residue.

• Prune affected leaves or branches to contain the pest problem from spreading.

*Protip: Push a clove of garlic into the plant’s soil, the smell will dissipate but will still be active enough to keep bugs away!

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