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Stromanthe · Stromanthe thalia

Why does my Stromanthe have pests?

Spider mites love the dry, warm air of our homes, which is the opposite of the humid conditions Stromanthe plants need to thrive. Check the undersides of your leaves for tiny webs or dust to confirm an infestation.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves with a magnifying glass.
  2. Look for fine webbing near the leaf joints.
  3. Check if the leaves look dusty or speckled.

Likely causes

  1. Spider Mites

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see fine webbing between the stems or tiny yellow stippling on the leaves. The leaves may look dull or faded.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove the mites. Follow up by spraying the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days until they are gone.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your stromanthe

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 active webbing and the leaves are curling or dropping, you must treat the plant immediately to save it.

Stopping it coming back

Mist your plant regularly or keep the humidity high to make the environment less hospitable for mites.

Stromanthe: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your stromanthe 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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Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Are spider mites harmful to my other plants?
Yes, they spread very quickly. Isolate your Stromanthe from your other houseplants until the infestation is completely cleared.
How often should I check for pests?
It is a good habit to inspect your plant every time you water it. Catching them early makes treatment much easier.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Stromanthe

Back to the Stromanthe 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.