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Parlor palm · Chamaedorea elegans

How do I get rid of pests on my Parlor palm?

Parlor palms are magnets for spider mites, especially when the indoor air is dry. Look closely at the undersides of the leaves for tiny webs or fine stippling.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Examine the undersides of the leaves with a flashlight.
  2. Look for fine webbing between the stems.
  3. Check if the leaves look dull or stippled.

Likely causes

  1. Spider Mites

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see fine webbing between the leaflets and tiny yellow dots on the foliage.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Follow up by spraying the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.

  2. Scale Insects

    Possible

    How to tell: Small brown bumps that look like tiny shells appear on the stems or leaf veins.

    What to do: Scrape the bumps off gently with your fingernail or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Keep an eye on the plant for a few weeks to ensure no new ones appear.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your parlor palm

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

If the webbing is thick and the leaves are turning yellow or dropping, the infestation is severe. Act immediately to save the plant.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the leaves clean by wiping them occasionally. Increase humidity to make the environment less hospitable for spider mites.

Parlor palm: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your parlor palm 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.

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Questions people ask

Can I use dish soap to kill pests?
A very mild solution of dish soap and water can work, but be sure to rinse the leaves afterward. Commercial insecticidal soap is safer for the plant.
Should I isolate my palm?
Yes, move the infested plant away from your other houseplants immediately. Pests spread quickly to neighbors.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Parlor palm

Back to the Parlor palm 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.