Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Song of India · Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia

Are there bugs on my Song of India?

Spider mites are the most common pests for this plant, especially in dry indoor air. They are tiny, so look closely for fine webbing.

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. Look for fine webbing between leaves.
  2. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for tiny moving dots.
  3. Check if the air around the plant feels very dry.

Likely causes

  1. Spider Mites

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see tiny white dots on the leaves and fine, silky webs between the stems. The leaves may look speckled or yellow.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the webs. Spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7 days until the pests are gone.

  2. Dry Air

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant is in a very dry room, which encourages mite infestations. The leaf tips may also turn brown.

    What to do: Increase humidity by grouping plants together or using a humidifier. Mites thrive in dry, stagnant air.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your song of india

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

If you see heavy webbing covering the stems, the infestation is severe. Treat it immediately to prevent the plant from losing all its leaves.

Stopping it coming back

Wipe the leaves down occasionally to keep them clean and increase the humidity around the plant.

Song of India: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your song of india 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

Do I need to isolate my plant?
Yes, move the infested plant away from your other houseplants immediately. Mites spread very quickly to neighbors.
Will neem oil hurt my plant?
Neem oil is safe when used as directed. Apply it in the evening to avoid leaf burn from direct sunlight.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Song of India

Back to the Song of India 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.