Pest Control

The four most common houseplant pests are fungus gnats, spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Each requires a different treatment approach. Fungus gnats infest soil; spider mites colonize leaf undersides; mealybugs cluster at leaf joints; scale attaches to stems.

Fungus gnats are the most frequent complaint but rarely damage mature plants. They breed in consistently moist soil. Allowing the top 2 inches to dry between waterings breaks their life cycle.

Spider mites are the most destructive and hardest to eradicate. They thrive in dry, warm conditions and produce visible webbing in advanced infestations. Early detection through regular leaf inspection is critical.

Healthy plants resist pests more effectively than stressed plants. Proper spacing improves air circulation, reducing fungal disease that weakens plants and attracts secondary pests. Adequate nutrition supports the plant's own chemical defense systems.

Crop rotation breaks pest life cycles. Growing tomatoes in the same spot annually allows soil-borne pathogens and tomato-specific pests to accumulate. A 3–4 year rotation between plant families disrupts these cycles.

Physical barriers — row covers, copper tape, netting — prevent pest access without chemicals. Floating row covers exclude cabbage moths, flea beetles, and squash vine borers while allowing light and rain through.