Pest identification
What's eating my bird's nest anthurium?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and webbing on leaf undersides; leaves dull and yellow over time.
Control: Raise humidity, shower the plant regularly, and spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days.
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits in the rosette centre and leaf axils; honeydew and sooty mold appear.
Control: Remove with alcohol-soaked swab; spray entire plant with diluted neem oil and repeat weekly until clear.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Adults hover around soil; larvae damage fine roots, causing wilting and stunted growth.
Control: Allow soil surface to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; drench with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) if persistent.
Keep bird's nest anthurium pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Bird's Nest Anthurium pests — FAQ
What is eating my bird's nest anthurium?
Anthurium superbum forms a wide rosette that can trap debris and retain moisture at its centre, making it somewhat more prone to fungus gnats than upright anthuriums. Spider mites and mealybugs remain the primary foliar pests. Keep the rosette free of decaying leaf matter and avoid overwatering to reduce all pest pressure.
How do I get rid of spider mites on bird's nest anthurium?
Pale stippling and webbing on leaf undersides; leaves dull and yellow over time. Raise humidity, shower the plant regularly, and spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on bird's nest anthurium?
Cottony white deposits in the rosette centre and leaf axils; honeydew and sooty mold appear. Remove with alcohol-soaked swab; spray entire plant with diluted neem oil and repeat weekly until clear.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on bird's nest anthurium?
Adults hover around soil; larvae damage fine roots, causing wilting and stunted growth. Allow soil surface to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; drench with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) if persistent.