Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Look closely at the new growth for tiny clusters of insects.
- Check for fine webbing between the stems.
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves with a magnifying glass.
Likely causes
Spider Mites
Most likelyHow to tell: Fine webbing appears between stems and leaves look stippled or speckled.
What to do: Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove mites. Increase humidity and use insecticidal soap if the infestation persists.
Aphids
PossibleHow to tell: Small green or black insects cluster on the tender new growth.
What to do: Spray the plant with a gentle stream of water to knock them off. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to the affected areas.
Find out what's wrong with your busy lizzie
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If the leaves start curling or dropping due to heavy infestation, take action immediately. A few stray bugs are manageable with simple cleaning.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the plant healthy with proper water and light, and check it weekly for early signs of pests.
Busy Lizzie: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your busy lizzie 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I use household soap to kill pests?
- Use only mild, non-detergent soap diluted in water. Commercial insecticidal soaps are safer for your plant.
- Do pests spread to other plants?
- Yes, spider mites and aphids can easily move to nearby plants. Isolate your Busy Lizzie until the pests are gone.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Busy Lizzie
- Why is my Busy Lizzie drooping?
- Why are my Busy Lizzie leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Impatiens leaves falling off?
- How do I fix root rot in my Impatiens?
- Why are my Impatiens growing so tall and thin?
- Why are my impatiens leaves getting brown tips?
- Why are there spots on my impatiens leaves?
- Why won't my impatiens bloom?
- Why are my Impatiens leaves curling?
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.