Pests & Diseases

Fungus gnats (tiny black flies around the soil), spider mites (fine webbing under leaves), mealybugs (white cottony clusters in leaf axils), scale (brown bumps on stems), thrips (silvery streaks on leaves), and aphids (clusters of small green or black insects on new growth).

Let the top 2–3 cm of soil dry out completely between waterings — gnat larvae can't survive dry soil. Add yellow sticky traps to catch adults, and for persistent infestations, apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) granules or a hydrogen peroxide soil drench.

Yes, when used correctly. Mix cold-pressed neem oil with water and a few drops of dish soap (roughly 1 tsp neem per 500 ml water), and spray in the evening so leaves can dry overnight. Avoid spraying in direct sun — it can scorch leaves. Repeat every 5–7 days for 3 cycles to break the pest life cycle.

Rarely. Most infestations — even severe ones — can be cleared with 3–4 weeks of consistent treatment. Consider disposal only if the plant is barely alive, if you have a rare infestation that's resistant to multiple treatments, or if it's a low-value plant next to a high-value rare collection.