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Prayer plant · Maranta leuconeura

How do I get rid of pests on my prayer plant?

Prayer plants are magnets for spider mites and mealybugs, especially when the air is dry. Inspect the undersides of your leaves and the stems for any signs of webbing or white fluff.

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

Check these first

  1. Look closely at the undersides of the leaves for webbing.
  2. Check the joints where the leaf meets the stem for white cottony spots.
  3. Isolate the plant from your other houseplants immediately.

Likely causes

  1. Spider Mites

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see fine, silky webbing between leaves and tiny yellow stippling dots on the foliage.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the webs and mites. Spray the plant thoroughly with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days until the infestation is gone.

  2. Mealybugs

    Possible

    How to tell: Small, white, cottony clusters appear in the leaf axils or along the stems.

    What to do: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and touch it directly to the bugs to kill them on contact. For larger infestations, treat the entire plant with insecticidal soap once a week.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your prayer plant

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 or the leaves are starting to yellow and drop, the infestation is severe and requires immediate treatment.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the leaves clean by wiping them with a damp cloth monthly and maintain higher humidity to discourage spider mites.

Prayer plant: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your prayer plant 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 use dish soap to kill the pests?
A very mild solution of water and a drop of gentle dish soap can work, but insecticidal soap is safer and more effective for your plant.
How long should I keep the plant isolated?
Keep it away from other plants for at least 3 to 4 weeks after you stop seeing signs of pests to ensure they are completely gone.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Prayer plant

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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.