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African Fig · Ficus cyathistipula

How do I get rid of pests on my African Fig?

Spider mites are the most common troublemakers for the African Fig, especially when indoor air is dry. Check the undersides of the leaves for tiny webs or fine stippling to confirm they are the culprits.

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of leaves with a magnifying glass.
  2. Check for fine webbing between leaf nodes.
  3. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to see if pests come off.

Likely causes

  1. Spider Mites

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see tiny white dots on the leaves and fine webbing between the stems. The leaves may look dull or faded.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Follow up by spraying the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days until they are gone.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your african fig

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

If you see heavy webbing covering the plant, the infestation is severe. Act quickly to prevent the mites from spreading to your other houseplants.

Stopping it coming back

Increase the humidity around your plant and wipe the leaves regularly to keep them clean and dust free.

African Fig: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your african fig 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

Can I just wash the plant in the shower?
Yes, a gentle shower is a great way to knock off a large number of mites. Just be sure to protect the soil so it does not get waterlogged.
Why do I keep getting spider mites?
Spider mites love dry, stagnant air. Improving airflow and keeping the plant hydrated helps make it a less attractive home for them.

Guides to these causes

More problems with African Fig

Back to the African Fig 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.