How to Get Rid of Common Pests on your Peace Lily

Peace lilies are pretty tough. But pests can still affect them and cause anything from yellow leaves to no growth.

So if you’ve noticed your peace lily is looking a bit sad then some nasty pests might well be the problem.

This guide will take you through identifying the most common pests that attack peace lilies. From the likes of tiny spider mites to scale insects.

I’ve had years of experience with growing and caring for peace lilies and so I’ll share here some ways to treat each pest as well as tips to keep your peace lily healthy and pest free.

1. Identifying Common Pests on Peace Lilies

As I just mentioned pests on peace lilies can cause yellow leaves, a lack of growth and wilting if you don’t deal with them quickly. Identifying the pests early is important so you know how to treat them before they do any permanent damage.

Below we’ll go through the main offenders with details on how each pest behaves and the main signs you have an infestation.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are hard to see because of how small they are. In fact you’ll quite often need a magnifying glass just to spot them.

They suck the sap from leaves which leaves small yellow spots behind as well a fine type of webbing on the leaves. They do best in warm and dry conditions so love the indoors

Mealybugs

Mealybugs like to live on the undersides of leaves. They leave behind a nasty looking residue and excrete honeydew. This is a problem because it also attracts ants and can result in a type of mold.

Aphids

Aphids are small insects that cluster around new growth. You can find them in lots of colors (green, black, pink etc) and reproduce fast. They will cause the leaves to curl and growth to stop.

Scale Insects

Scale insects look like little bumps on leaves and stems. They look like this because they have an outer shell that protects them.

They produce honeydew, like mealybugs, and if you get a large infestation it will cause yellow leaves and leaf drop.

Thrips

Thrips are tiny and feed off of leaf tissue. You’ll see silver or brown streaks left behind on the leaves if you’ve got an outbreak of them. They especially love new growth and if they get out of hand they’ll cause real damage to your plants.

2. Treatments for Each Pest

Each pest will need a specific treatment. Unfortunately there’s not something that works for all of them.

The following are specific treatments to remove and prevent each type.

Spider Mites

• Water Rinse: Start by rinsing the plant with a strong stream of water. Focus on the undersides of the leaves as that’s where the mites like to hide. For outdoor plants using a garden hose works well.
• Soap Solution Spray: Mix 1 teaspoon of dish soap with 1 quart of water. Spray the onto the affected areas and wipe the leaves with a cloth. This works because the soap suffocates the mites as well as messing up their lifecycle.
• Neem Oil Application: Mix neem oil as the instructions say (usually 2 tablespoons per gallon of water) and spray it on to the leaves. Neem oil stops the mites from being able to reproduce. Reapply every 7 to 10 days.

Spider mites love dry conditions, as mentioned earlier. So a good way to stop them entirely or from either coming back or to increase the humidity wherever your peace lily is.

Mealybugs

• Alcohol Dabbing: Soak a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol (at least 70% concentration) and dab it directly onto any mealybugs. Why this works is it dissolves their protective coating and kills them instantly. You can then wipe them away.
• Soap and Water Solution: A mix of soap and water can be sprayed on the plant too. Cover all surfaces and focus on the joints of the leaves. You’ll have to do this every 7 days until you’ve got rid of the mealybugs.
• Neem Oil Spray: Use a neem oil spray if you’ve got a bigger infestation. Do it every week make sure you coat each leaf.

Mealybugs are a big sign of overwatering so it’s even more important that the soil your peace lily is in drains well.

Aphids

• Water Blast: A powerful stream of water will work well to remove aphids. You may need to do this every few days depending on how bad the infestation is.
• Manual Removal: You can squish the aphids by hand. Or use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Although this is best if you’ve only got a small infestation.
• Ladybugs as Predators: If your peace lily is outside then introducing some natural predators like ladybugs or lacewings works well. They will eat the aphids and don’t hurt your plants.
• Neem or Insecticidal Soap Spray: Use neem oil or insecticidal soap for bigger infestations. Focus on the undersides of leaves. Reapply every 7 to 10 days.

3. Extra Prevention Techniques

You can take extra steps to prevent the pests from coming back.

Maintain Humidity Levels

Most indoor pests, especially spider mites, love low humidity. So try to keep tour peace lilies at a humidity level of at least 50%.

• Misting: Mist your plant daily. Again focus on the undersides of the leaves.
• Humidity Tray: Put a shallow tray filled with water and pebbles under the pot. As the water evaporates from it it increases the humidity.
• Use a Humidifier: You can put a small humidifier near your peace lily and it will keep the humidity stable during dry seasons.

Quarantine New Plants

Inspect any new plants you get before you bring them into your home and quarantine them for 2 to 3 weeks so you can be sure they are free of pests. This way you aren’t going to spread any to your peace lilies.

Regular Inspections

You should be checking your plants regularly so you catch any infestations early. Look at the leaves every week, especially the undersides.

Use a magnifying glass to spot the really tiny pests like spider mites and aphids that you won’t see with your eyes. Getting to them before they multiply is important to stop any potential damage.

Prune Infested Areas

If any infestation has gotten out of hand then you’ll want to prune the leaves and stems that are affected. It’s the best way to remove lots of pests all in one go and works especially well for scale insects.

Make sure you get rid of the pruned leaves and stems away from other plants so you don’t spread the pests. That’s why it’s also important to clean the tools you’ve used with alcohol once you’re done.

Balanced Watering

Peace lilies are don’t like to be both over and underwatered. Both can make them more vulnerable to pests.

So try to keep the soil slightly moist and allow the top layer to dry out before you water again. Check that the pot drains well so root rot doesn’t develop and also fungus gnats.

4. Chemical Control: When to Use It and How

While natural methods are preferable if possible, if you’ve got a persistent infestation then you may have no other option than to use chemicals.

Systemic Insecticides

Systemic insecticides are absorbed by the plant and target any pests that suck on the sap. Don’t use too much of these for indoor peace lilies and make sure when you do use any it’s in somewhere with good ventilation. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.

Neem Oil Granules

Neem granules release chemicals when you add them to the soil and will work over time. They work well against the likes of thrips and aphids and don’t affect the environment as much as sprays.

Commercial Insecticidal Sprays

If you can apply them outdoors then commercial insecticides will work as a last resort. Always wear gloves and a mask and don’t use them indoors as they can be toxic to both people and pets.

5. Troubleshooting Table

This table has additional prevention and treatment tips for each pest:

These methods for treating pests will keep your peace lily free of pests. Just make sure you’re regularly inspecting your plant and acting quickly if you find anything.
Do that and your peace lily will stay healthy.