Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves with a flashlight.
- Look for fine webbing between the stems.
- Shake the plant gently to see if any small white insects fly off.
Likely causes
Spider Mites
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see tiny stippling or yellow dots on the leaves and perhaps fine webbing between stems.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil once a week until the pests are gone.
Whiteflies
Most likelyHow to tell: Small white insects will fly up when you disturb the plant, and you will see them gathered on the undersides of leaves.
What to do: Spray the plant with insecticidal soap, making sure to coat the undersides of the leaves. Repeat the treatment every 5 to 7 days to catch any new hatchlings.
Find out what's wrong with your chenille plant
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Pests can quickly weaken the plant if left untreated. If the infestation is severe and the plant is covered in webbing or insects, it is time for immediate action.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the air around the plant humid and inspect the leaves regularly for early signs of trouble.
Keep your chenille plant healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Are these pests harmful to my other plants?
- Yes, both spider mites and whiteflies can easily spread to nearby plants. Isolate your Chenille plant until the pests are completely gone.
- Can I use neem oil on my Chenille plant?
- Yes, neem oil is effective against both mites and whiteflies. Apply it in the evening to avoid leaf burn from direct sun.
More problems with Chenille plant
- Why are my Chenille plant's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Chenille plant not producing flowers?
- Why is my Chenille plant drooping?
- Why is my Chenille plant losing leaves?
- Why is my Chenille plant looking so leggy?
- Why are my Chenille plant's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why does my Chenille plant have spots on its leaves?
- How do I know if my Chenille plant has root rot?
- Why are my Chenille plant's leaves curling?
Back to the Chenille plant guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.