Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Inspect the needles for fine webbing.
- Shake a branch over white paper to spot moving mites.
- Look for sticky residue on the lower branches.
Likely causes
Spruce spider mites
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see fine webbing between needles and the foliage will look dull or bronzed. Shake a branch over a white piece of paper to see the tiny mites crawling.
What to do: Spray the tree with a strong stream of water to knock them off. If the infestation is heavy, apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap according to the label instructions during the cooler parts of the day.
Aphids
PossibleHow to tell: These insects cause the needles to yellow and leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew. You might also see ants crawling on the branches to feed on the honeydew.
What to do: Wash the needles with a gentle spray of water to remove the aphids. For larger populations, use neem oil or insecticidal soap once every 7 days until they are gone.
Find out what's wrong with your norway spruce
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
It is serious if the needles are turning brown and falling off in large patches. A few mites are normal, but a full infestation can weaken the tree significantly.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your tree well watered during dry spells, as drought stressed trees are much more attractive to mites.
Norway spruce: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your norway spruce 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 the mites?
- No, you should use insecticidal soap specifically formulated for plants. Household detergents can damage the needles.
- Will the needles turn green again after the mites are gone?
- Unfortunately, needles that have turned brown or bronzed will not turn green again. The tree will eventually grow new, healthy needles.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Norway spruce
Back to the Norway spruce 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.