Pothos plants are often recommended to beginners because of how easy to grow and look after they are. But even though they’re not difficult they can still be affected by pests.
And bugs aren’t just unpleasant to look at. They will weaken your plant and can spread to others if you don’t deal with them fast.
So this guide will help you to figure out what pests your pothos has as well as the best way to treat them and stop them from coming back.
Common Pests Found on Pothos Plants
To be able to properly treat pests you need to know what they are. These were the most common and how to spot them:
| Pest | What They Look Like | Signs of Infestation |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Small insects that are usually green but can be black, yellow or pink. | Yellow or curling leaves, sticky substance on the leaves (honeydew), possible mold. |
| Spider Mites | Tiny, often red or brown and leave behind webs. | Leaves will look speckled or stippled. Webbing will be found under the leaves. |
| Mealybugs | Look like tiny groups of cotton on the stems and leaves. | Lack of growth, sticky substance, leaves dropping. |
| Scale | Brown bumps. | Sticky substance on leaves, stems wilting, plant struggling. |
| Fungus Gnats | Small black flies that hover over the soil. | Planting growing poorly due to the larvae feeding on roots. Overwatered soil is a common cause. |
Step by Step Treatment for Each PestAphids
Aphids
Aphids multiply fast, so if you find any you’ll want to start treatment quickly.
1. Blast Them Off:
- Take your pothos to the sink or shower.
- Turn the tap on and get it running fast. Use the stream to wash away as many aphids as you can.
2. Soap Solution:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap with 1 liter of water.
- Spray your pothos making sure you get the underneath of the leaves as that where aphids hide.
3. Neem Oil:
- Neem oil works by disrupting how aphids reproduce and how they feed.
- Spray your pothos every 7 to 10 days until they’re all gone.
4. DIY Garlic Spray:
- Mix a clove of garlic with water and strain it.
- Spray that mix onto the plant and it will keep aphids away.
Spider Mites
Spider mites like the dry so you should increase the humidity if you find any.
1. Humidity Fix:
- Increase the humidity. You can mist your pothos regularly or put it near a humidifier.
- Putting a pebble tray with water underneath your pothos also helps.
2. Alcohol Solution:
- Mix rubbing alcohol and water (1:3 ratio).
- Wipe the leaves and remove both the mites and their eggs.
3. Essential Oil Spray:
- Add 10 drops of rosemary or peppermint oil to a liter of water.
- Spray the plant every 3 to 5 days until the mites are gone.
4. Predatory Mites:
If you can’t get rid of them then you may need to release some natural predators like Phytoseiulus persimilis.
Mealybugs
You’ll want to act quickly as mealybugs can spread fast.
1. Alcohol Swabs:
- Dip a cotton swab in 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Put the swab directly on to any mealybugs you find and it will kill them instantly.
2. Spray Treatment:
- Mix neem oil and water, or use insecticidal soap.
- Spray the whole plant but focus mostly underneath the leaves and their nodes.
3. Prune Heavily Infested Areas:
Cut off any parts of the plant that have been heavily affected by mealybugs to stop them from spreading.
Scale
Scale insects are tough to get rid of and will require patience and being persistent.
1. Manual Removal:
- Use a toothpick or your fingernail to scrape pff any of them you can see on your pothos.
- Check all parts of the leaves and stems.
2. Oil Treatment:
Putting horticultural oil directly on the scales and it will kill them.
3. Regular Monitoring:
Check every week to look for new scales and repeat the treatment if you need to.
Fungus Gnats
Gnats are usually a sign of overwatering, so that’s where to begin with your treatment.
1. Dry the Soil:
- Let the top 2 inches of the soil dry out before you water again.
- Fungus gnat larvae can’t survive in dry conditions.
2. Sticky Traps:
Put yellow sticky traps near the soil to catch the adult gnats.
3. Beneficial Nematodes:
Bring in some nematodes to the soil. They feed on gnat larvae so are perfect if you’ve got a big outbreak.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide Solution:
- Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 4 parts water.
- Pour it into the soil and it will kill the larvae instantly.
Preventive Care Tips
The best way to deal with pests is by stopping them from getting into your plants in the first place. So use these tips to avoid any pests getting to your pothos.
1. Regular Cleaning
- Wipe the leaves with a cloth every two weeks and it will remove the dust and any eggs.
- Look at leaves and stems when you’re cleaning your plants.
2. Quarantine New Plants
- Before you introduce any new plants to the ones you already have isolate them first for at least two weeks.
- Keep a close eye on them throughout this time for any pests or signs of them.
3. Soil Management
- Use soil that drains well so it doesn’t get soggy. Fungus gnats love wet soil.
- Try mixing perlite or sand into the soil to improve the air flow through it.
4. Fertilizer Habits
- Overfertilizing can actually make your plant weaker, and in turn be more susceptible to pests.
- Stick to a balanced fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks in the summer and spring when it’s growing.
5. Keep the Area Tidy
Any leaves that drop off or debris that’s around your plant should be got rid of quickly as it can be the sort of thing that pests breed in.
What If Natural Remedies Don’t Work?
If you’ve got an infestation thats just too bad then you might have to take more drastic steps.
- Commercial Insecticides: Look for products that are labeled specifically for indoor plants and follow the instructions carefully.
- Systemic Treatments: Use systemic insecticides that are absorbed by the plant. These will kill off any pests that feed on it.
- Repotting: If the infestation is in the soil the repotting might be the best way to get rid of the pests. So take your plant out of its pot, wash the roots and repot it using fresh soil.
How to Keep Pests Away Naturally
These are a few tips to make your pohos a lot less appealing to any pests.
- Essential Oils as Repellents:
- Use peppermint, clove or eucalyptus oil near your plant as many pests hate it and it will keep them away.
- Companion Plants:
- Put plants like basil or marigold near your pothos as their scents actually keep many pests away too.
- Diatomaceous Earth:
- Sprinkle a little on the soil and it will kill crawling pests like fungus gnat larvae.
Final Thoughts
Pothos plants may be tough but even they can be hit by pests. So you need to be acting fast and making sure you notice any pests so you can get rid of them quickly.
As disappointing as it can be to find them try to think of it as a challenge and something you can learn from. Stick with it and your pothos will be back to health soon.