Indoor plants improve the look and feel of your home. They also add oxygen and help provide a peaceful environment. Unfortunately, some of them attract pests that never seem to leave. Know which plants to avoid if you don’t want bug infestations.
Common Indoor Plant Pests
Most pests are imported when you buy plants or bring them in from the outside on plants, clothes, or pets. You may also have a few in the house that migrate to more attractive plants when you introduce new plants into the house. Then the population explodes. Look for these pests on your plants.
- Aphids. Gather on new plant growth, stems, and undersides of leaves. Difficult to spot because their green color blends in with plants.
- Fungus Gnats. Small black flying bugs that love moist soil. Larvae cause root damage.
- Mealybugs. White cottony appearance. Feed on plant sap and can turn leaves yellow.
- Scale Insects. Look like small bumps on leaves and stems. Survive by sucking sap. Plants may have sticky sap or mold around the insect bumps.
- Spider Mites. Almost too small to see. Look for webs on leaves and stems. Also yellow or brown leaves.
- Thrips. Small and quick. Suck out plant cell contents. Damage is silvery-looking spots on leaves.
- Whitefly. Small white flies that feed on sap. Cause distorted leaves and stunted plant growth.
- Aphids and ant.
Some indoor plants, like a peppermint plant in your entryway, repel pests. These five plants attract insects and provide food and shelter for them.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera plants are easy to grow and keep alive. They are very tolerant of many conditions. Fungus gnats love them–especially when the plant is overwatered and the soil is wet. Keep the soil dry to discourage the pests.
Ferns
Ferns prefer high humidity and lots of water. Overwatering attracts scale insects, mealybugs, and spider mites that feed on the plant sap. Ferns need the water to remain healthy so inspect your plants every week and wash off the invaders.
Peonies
If you have ants in the house they will be drawn to your peony plant. Contrary to popular myth, ants do not help peonies bloom. They love the nectar the plant produces. Then they stay on the plant to eat thrips and aphids attracted to the plant. Having ants on your peony may provide pest control but eventually, the ants will move to other food sources in the house. Better to wash ants, thrips, and aphids off regularly.
Succulents
Any succulent that produces sweet sap attracts ants and mealybugs. Pests are always searching for water. Keep your succulents as dry as possible. They do not need much water to flourish. Mix alcohol with water and spray the plants when you see bugs or small holes in leaves or stems. Alcohol kills the bugs on contact.
Vegetables
Picking fresh vegetables from your indoor garden in winter provides a tasty treat and saves money. Pests also appreciate vegetables–especially tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and cauliflower. Aphids, scale insects, and whiteflies in particular are attracted to vegetable plants. All of these bugs reproduce quickly–turning into an infestation. Inspect them weekly and wash off any bugs.
