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Peace Lily · Spathiphyllum wallisii

Why does my Peace Lily have pests?

Spider mites are the most common pests for Peace Lilies, especially in dry indoor conditions. These tiny invaders cause stippling and yellowing on the leaves.

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for tiny moving specks.
  2. Look closely for fine webbing near the leaf joints.
  3. Check if the leaves have a dusty or stippled appearance.

Likely causes

  1. Spider mites

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see tiny yellow dots on the leaves and fine webbing between the stems.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Follow up with a gentle insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 7 days.

  2. Dry air

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant is in a very dry spot and shows signs of mite activity.

    What to do: Increase the humidity around the plant to make the environment less hospitable to mites. Keep the plant away from direct airflow from heaters.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your peace lily

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, the infestation is advanced and requires immediate treatment. Isolate the plant from others to prevent spreading.

Stopping it coming back

Regularly wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to keep them clean and discourage pests from settling in.

Peace Lily: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your peace lily 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

How do I get rid of spider mites naturally?
Washing the leaves with a mild soap and water solution is very effective. Repeat the process weekly until the mites are gone.
Will spider mites kill my Peace Lily?
If left untreated, a severe infestation can weaken the plant significantly. Early detection is key to saving the foliage.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Peace Lily

Back to the Peace Lily 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.