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Coffee plant · Coffea arabica

How do I get rid of pests on my coffee plant?

Coffee plants are prone to scale and spider mites, which can drain the plant of its energy. Check the undersides of the leaves and the stems for any unusual bumps or webbing.

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the stems closely for small brown bumps.
  2. Look for fine webbing between the leaves.
  3. Check the undersides of leaves for tiny moving specks.

Likely causes

  1. Scale Insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: Small, hard brown bumps that look like little shields on the stems or leaf veins.

    What to do: Gently scrape the bumps off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, apply neem oil to the stems every 7 days.

  2. Spider Mites

    Possible

    How to tell: Tiny yellow stippling on the leaves and fine, silky webbing between branches.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Increase the humidity around the plant, as mites thrive in dry, hot conditions.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your coffee 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 multiply very quickly, so treat them as soon as you spot them to prevent the plant from weakening.

Stopping it coming back

Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth every few weeks to keep them clean and discourage pests from settling in.

Coffee plant: pests? Check yours with a photo

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

Are these pests harmful to me?
No, scale and spider mites are harmless to humans and pets, but they are very harmful to your coffee plant.
Should I isolate the plant?
Yes, move the infested plant away from your other houseplants immediately to prevent the pests from spreading.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Coffee plant

Back to the Coffee plant 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.