Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of leaves with a magnifying glass.
- Look for fine webbing between the stems.
- Shake the plant gently to see if any small insects fly up.
Likely causes
Spider Mites
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see tiny white stippling on the leaves and fine silk webs between stems.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Spray the plant thoroughly with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.
Whiteflies
PossibleHow to tell: Small white insects will fly up in a cloud when you shake the plant foliage.
What to do: Use a gentle stream of water to wash the flies off the leaves. Apply insecticidal soap to the undersides of the leaves once a week for 3 weeks.
Find out what's wrong with your pencil flower
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If you see heavy webbing or the leaves are turning yellow and falling off, act immediately to save the plant. A few stray bugs are manageable but can spread quickly.
Stopping it coming back
Increase the humidity around your plant by misting it daily or using a pebble tray. Keep the leaves clean by wiping them down with a damp cloth once a month.
Pencil flower: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your pencil flower and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I use dish soap to kill the bugs?
- Yes, a mild solution of one teaspoon of dish soap per quart of water works well. Just be sure to rinse the leaves afterward to prevent residue buildup.
- Should I isolate my plant?
- Definitely. Move the infested plant away from your other houseplants immediately to prevent the pests from spreading.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Pencil flower
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- Why does my Copperleaf have spots on its leaves?
- How do I fix root rot on my Copperleaf?
- Why are my Copperleaf's leaves curling?
Back to the Pencil flower guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.