Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Pagoda flower · Clerodendrum paniculatum

Why are there bugs on my Pagoda flower?

Seeing tiny visitors on your Pagoda flower is frustrating, but it happens to the best of us. These pests usually show up when the plant is stressed or the air is too dry. Check the undersides of your leaves first.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for webbing or clusters of insects.
  2. Check the new growth tips for sticky residue.
  3. Look for tiny yellow stippling marks on the foliage.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small, soft bodied insects clustering on the tender new growth or flower buds. They often leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew.

    What to do: Spray the plant with a gentle stream of water to knock them off. Follow up with an application of insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.

  2. Spider mites

    Most likely

    How to tell: Look for tiny yellow dots on the leaves and fine webbing between stems. These pests thrive in dry, warm indoor conditions.

    What to do: Increase the humidity around your plant by using a pebble tray or humidifier. Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth and treat with neem oil once a week for 3 weeks.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your pagoda 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

Worry if the leaves start curling or turning yellow rapidly. A few bugs are manageable, but a full infestation can weaken the plant quickly.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy with consistent watering and wipe the leaves down occasionally to remove dust and potential pests.

Pagoda flower: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your pagoda 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I use dish soap to kill the bugs?
You can, but be careful. Use a very mild, non-degreasing soap diluted in water, and test it on one leaf first to make sure it does not burn the foliage.
Will these pests spread to my other plants?
Yes, they can travel easily. Isolate your Pagoda flower from your other houseplants until you are sure the infestation is cleared.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Pagoda flower

Back to the Pagoda 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.