Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Look closely at the undersides of the leaves.
- Check the tips of new growth for clusters of insects.
- Look for fine webbing between the stems.
Likely causes
Aphids
Most likelyHow to tell: You see clusters of tiny green or black insects on the new growth or undersides of leaves.
What to do: Spray the plant with a strong stream of water to knock them off. Follow up with an application of insecticidal soap every 5 days until they are gone.
Spider Mites
PossibleHow to tell: Leaves look stippled or speckled, and you might see fine webbing between stems.
What to do: Increase the humidity around the plant and wash the foliage thoroughly. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap to treat the infestation.
Find out what's wrong with your fairy fan-flower
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 are turning yellow or dropping rapidly due to the infestation, act immediately. A few bugs are manageable, but a full colony can kill the plant.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your plant healthy with proper watering and check it weekly for any signs of unwanted visitors.
Fairy Fan-flower: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your fairy fan-flower 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
- Will these pests spread to my other plants?
- Yes, aphids and spider mites can easily travel to nearby plants. Isolate your Fan Flower until the infestation is completely cleared.
- Can I use household soap to kill the bugs?
- Avoid using harsh dish soaps, as they can burn the leaves. Use a dedicated insecticidal soap or a mild horticultural soap instead.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Fairy Fan-flower
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- Why is my Scaevola aemula dropping its leaves?
- Why are my Scaevola aemula leaves curling?
Back to the Fairy Fan-flower 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.