If you have houseplants, chances are you’ve dealt with pests at one time or another. Whether it’s aphids, spider mites, or whiteflies, these little critters can do a number on your plants if left unchecked. But why do they seem to gravitate toward certain plants more than others?
It turns out that there are specific growing conditions that make plants more attractive to pests. Keep reading to learn more about do houseplants attract bugs and what you can do to prevent pests from taking over your houseplants.
How Do Houseplants Attract Bugs
High Humidity
One of the most common conditions that attract plant pests is high humidity. Many pests, such as spider mites and whiteflies, thrive in humid environments. That’s why you’re more likely to see them during the summer months when humidity levels are higher.
If your plants are located in a particularly humid area of your home, such as the bathroom or kitchen, they may be more susceptible to infestations.
To help prevent pests from taking over your indoor plants, try to keep the humidity around them low. You can do this by running a fan in the room where they’re located or by placing a dehumidifier nearby.
You should also make sure that your plants are getting enough air circulation by moving them around occasionally and not overcrowding them in one space.
Lack Of Air Circulation
Air circulation is another reason why indoor plants attract bugs. When plants are crowded together in a small space, there’s not enough air movement to dry out the leaves. This creates a humid environment that’s perfect for mold, mildew, and fungal growth—all of which can attract pests.
If you suspect that a lack of air circulation is attracting pests to your plants, try moving them to a brighter, more open space. You might also want to increase the amount of time you spend watering and fertilizing your plants so that they’re not as stressed.
Poor Drainage
If the soil around your plant is constantly wet or soggy, likely, the plant isn’t draining properly. Poor drainage can cause problems for plant roots, making them susceptible to root rot and other diseases. But it can also attract insects.
Some common houseplant pests, such as fungus gnats, lay their eggs in damp soil. The larvae then feed on plant roots, causing damage to the plant. In severe cases, poor drainage can kill an indoor plant outright.
To fix poor drainage, start by checking the pot your plant is in. If it has drainage holes, make sure they’re not blocked by debris or calcium deposits. You may also need to change the type of soil you’re using or add more organic matter to improve drainage. In some cases, you may need to re-pot your plant into a pot with better drainage.
Over Watering
Another condition that attracts pests is overwatering. While too much water will make your plants more attractive to pests, not enough water will do the same.
Stressed plants are much more likely to be attacked by pests than healthy ones, so it’s important to maintain a consistent watering schedule.
If you’re not sure how often to water your plants, err on the side of underwatering – it’s much easier to save a drought-stressed plant than one that has been overwatered and developed root rot.
Read More: How Long Do Houseplants Live
Fertilizer Build-Up
Fertilizer is essential for healthy plant growth. But if you fertilize too often or use too much fertilizer, it can lead to a build-up of nutrients in the soil around your plant. This build-up can burn plant roots and make them susceptible to insect infestations and disease.
To avoid fertilizer build-up, only fertilize when your plants need it (usually every 4-6 weeks). And be sure to follow package directions carefully so that you don’t use more than is recommended.
You should also periodically flush out excess fertilizer from the soil by watering your plants with plain water until it runs out of the bottom of the pot—this will help prevent damage to your plants and keep pests at bay.
Pot Bound Plants
Lastly, potted plants are also more likely to be attacked by pests. When a plant’s roots are crowded and confined, this stresses the plant and makes it more vulnerable.
If you think your plant might be pot-bound, gently remove it from its pot and check the roots. If they’re tightly packed and circling the inside of the pot, it’s time for a new home or changes to the old potting soil!
Be sure to choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one, as too much space can also stress a plant out.
Read More: Can You Put Indoor Plants Outside?
Common Pests And How To Keep Them Away
Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are one of the most common pests attracted to houseplants. Fungus gnats are small, dark-colored flies that are often mistaken for fruit flies.
These pests are attracted to damp soil, so if you notice that your plants are being plagued by fungus gnats, it’s important to let the soil dry out completely between watering.
Another way to get rid of fungus gnats is to introduce predatory mites into the soil. Predatory mites feed on other small insects, so releasing a few of these into the pot will help eliminate the gnat problem in no time.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is another common problem for houseplants. Symptoms of powdery mildew include a white or gray powdery substance on leaves. This fungus is attracted to humid conditions, so it’s important to make sure that your plants have plenty of airflows. You can also use a fungicide to treat powdery mildew. However, it’s important to make sure that the fungicide you choose is safe for use on houseplants.
Read More: How To Keep Houseplants Warm In Winter?
Cross-Pollination
Cross-pollination is another issue that can occur when growing plants indoors. If you have both female and male plants in your home, they may cross-pollinate and produce seed pods. While this isn’t harmful to the plants, it can be unsightly. To avoid cross-pollination, it’s best to keep male and female plants in separate rooms or at least on separate shelves.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are one of the most common houseplant pests. These tiny creatures are barely visible to the naked eye, but they can do serious damage to your plants. Spider mites feed on plant sap, which can cause leaves to turn yellow or brown and eventually drop off. They can also cause stunted growth.
If you suspect that your plant has spider mites, look for small webbing between the leaves or on the stems. You may also see specks of dirt on the leaves; these are spider mite eggs.
To get rid of spider mites, spray your plant with water 2-3 times per week. This will help to reduce the humidity that spider mites thrive in. You can also try using an insecticidal soap or oil; just be sure to follow the instructions carefully so you don’t damage your plant.
Read More: How Cold Is Too Cold For Houseplants?
Aphids
Aphids are another common type of houseplant bug infestation. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that suck sap from leaves and stems. This feeding can cause leaves to curl, distort, or yellow.
Aphids can also spread disease to other plants. If you think your plant has aphids, inspect it carefully for small, pear-shaped insects. You may also see sticky patches on the leaves or stems; this is honeydew, a sweet substance that aphids excrete when they feed.
To get rid of aphids organically, try planting Marigolds near infested plants; aphids hate the smell of Marigolds! You can also try spraying your plant with water or using an insecticidal soap or oil solution.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are small white insects that resemble tiny white moths. They feed on plant sap, which can weaken the plant and stunt its growth. Whiteflies can also spread disease from plant to plant. If you think your plant has whiteflies, look for small white bugs flying around the leaves or crawling on the stems.
You may also see yellowing or discoloration on the leaves caused by the whiteflies’ feeding. To get rid of whiteflies organically, try planting Marigolds or Nasturtiums near infested plants; whiteflies hate the smell of these flowers!
You can also try using an insecticidal soap or oil solution; just be sure to follow the instructions carefully so you don’t damage your plants.
Read More: Are Eggshells Good For Houseplants?
Conclusion
While most houseplant pests are harmless, they can be a nuisance. To keep bugs away from your plants, it’s important to let the soil dry out completely between watering and make sure that your plants have plenty of airflow.
You can also use a predatory mite or a fungicide to get rid of troublesome insects or fungi to repel bugs. Finally, if you’re worried about cross-pollination, make sure to keep male and female plants in separate rooms or at least on separate shelves.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your houseplants without any unwanted guests!
