Why do I keep getting spider mites?

Spider mites love hot, dry air. Keeping your home humidity higher will make your palm much less attractive to them.

Can I use dish soap to kill them?

A very mild solution of water and a drop of dish soap can work, but dedicated insecticidal soap is safer for the plant.

Kentia palm: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Examine the undersides of the leaves closely.
Look for fine webbing between the leaflets.
Wipe a white paper towel across the leaf to see if tiny specks appear.

Likely causes

Spider Mites
Most likely
How to tell: You will see yellow stippling on the leaves and fine, dusty webs between the leaflets.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Follow up by spraying the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7 days for a month.
Scale Insects
Possible
How to tell: Small brown bumps that look like little shields appear on the stems or leaf veins.
What to do: Scrape the bumps off gently with your fingernail or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Treat the plant with a systemic insecticide if the infestation persists.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your kentia palm

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

Small numbers are manageable, but if the webbing covers the whole plant, it is a serious infestation. Act immediately to prevent leaf drop.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the leaves clean by wiping them monthly and ensure the plant has good air circulation.

Kentia palm: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your kentia palm 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

Why do I keep getting spider mites?: Spider mites love hot, dry air. Keeping your home humidity higher will make your palm much less attractive to them.
Can I use dish soap to kill them?: A very mild solution of water and a drop of dish soap can work, but dedicated insecticidal soap is safer for the plant.

How do I get rid of pests on my Kentia palm?

Check these first

Likely causes

Spider Mites

Scale Insects

Find out what's wrong with your kentia palm

When to worry

Stopping it coming back

Kentia palm: pests? Check yours with a photo

Questions people ask

Guides to these causes

More problems with Kentia palm