Can I use soap to kill these pests?

Yes, a mild solution of dish soap and water works well for washing off mites. Just make sure to rinse the leaves afterward.

Do I need to isolate my plant?

Definitely. Move the infested plant away from your other houseplants immediately to prevent the pests from spreading.

Japanese aralia: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of leaves for fine webs.
Look for small, hard bumps on the stems.
Check if the air around the plant feels very dry.

Likely causes

Spider mites
Most likely
How to tell: You will see fine, dusty webbing between leaves and tiny yellow stippling on the foliage.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Increase humidity by misting the plant or using a pebble tray, and apply neem oil once a week for three weeks.
Scale insects
Possible
How to tell: Look for small, brown, immobile bumps that look like tiny shells on the stems or leaf veins.
What to do: Scrape the insects off gently with your fingernail or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Check the plant every few days to ensure no new ones appear.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your japanese aralia

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 you see heavy webbing covering the entire plant, it is a severe infestation. A few isolated scale insects are easy to manage if caught early.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your Fatsia away from dry heat sources and wipe the leaves with a damp cloth monthly to keep them clean and pest free.

Japanese aralia: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your japanese aralia 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

Can I use soap to kill these pests?: Yes, a mild solution of dish soap and water works well for washing off mites. Just make sure to rinse the leaves afterward.
Do I need to isolate my plant?: Definitely. Move the infested plant away from your other houseplants immediately to prevent the pests from spreading.

Why does my Fatsia have spider mites or scale?

Check these first

Likely causes

Spider mites

Scale insects

Find out what's wrong with your japanese aralia

When to worry

Stopping it coming back

Japanese aralia: pests? Check yours with a photo

Questions people ask

Guides to these causes

More problems with Japanese aralia