Are spider mites harmful to my plant?

Yes, they suck the sap from the leaves, which weakens the plant and causes foliage to yellow and drop.

Do I need to isolate my plant?

Yes, move it away from other houseplants immediately so the mites do not spread to your other greenery.

Why are there tiny webs on my Dumb Cane? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Look closely at the underside of the leaves for tiny moving specks.
Check the joints where leaves meet the stem for fine webbing.
Wipe a leaf with a white paper towel to see if any reddish or brown mites appear.

Likely causes

Spider Mites
Most likely
How to tell: You see fine webbing between leaves and small yellow stippling marks on the foliage.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Spray the entire plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil once a week for 3 weeks.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The air in your home is very dry, which encourages mite populations to explode.
What to do: Increase humidity by grouping plants together or using a pebble tray. Mites struggle to thrive in more humid environments.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your dumb cane

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.

When to worry

If the webbing covers the entire plant and leaves are turning pale or dropping, you need to act fast. A few mites can be managed with consistent cleaning.

Stopping it coming back

Wipe the leaves down monthly and keep the plant away from hot, dry air vents.

Dumb Cane: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your dumb cane 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.

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

Questions people ask

Are spider mites harmful to my plant?: Yes, they suck the sap from the leaves, which weakens the plant and causes foliage to yellow and drop.
Do I need to isolate my plant?: Yes, move it away from other houseplants immediately so the mites do not spread to your other greenery.

Guides to these causes

Spider Mites

Why are there tiny webs on my Dumb Cane?