Pest identification
What's eating my philodendron?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy deposits in leaf axils, on vine nodes, and on leaf undersides; leaves yellow and droop.
Control: Treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs on visible bugs, then apply neem oil spray over entire plant; repeat weekly for four weeks.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Root damage from larvae causes wilting and slow growth; persistent tiny flies hover around soil.
Control: Let top soil dry fully; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) soil drench and use yellow sticky traps for adults.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine silvery stippling and webbing on leaf undersides, worst in heated winter rooms.
Control: Wipe leaves, mist frequently to raise humidity, and spray insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil every 7 days.
Scale insects
Signs: Brown shell-like bumps on stems and mid-ribs; sticky honeydew attracts sooty mould.
Control: Scrape off manually, then treat with horticultural oil spray every 10–14 days for three cycles.
Keep philodendron pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Philodendron pests — FAQ
What is eating my philodendron?
Philodendron hederaceum (heartleaf philodendron) is most commonly attacked by mealybugs and fungus gnats indoors. Spider mites and scale can appear in dry or stressful conditions. The plant's fast growth means infestations can spread rapidly — inspect new growth weekly and isolate any affected plant immediately.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on philodendron?
White fluffy deposits in leaf axils, on vine nodes, and on leaf undersides; leaves yellow and droop. Treat with isopropyl alcohol swabs on visible bugs, then apply neem oil spray over entire plant; repeat weekly for four weeks.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on philodendron?
Root damage from larvae causes wilting and slow growth; persistent tiny flies hover around soil. Let top soil dry fully; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) soil drench and use yellow sticky traps for adults.
How do I get rid of spider mites on philodendron?
Fine silvery stippling and webbing on leaf undersides, worst in heated winter rooms. Wipe leaves, mist frequently to raise humidity, and spray insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil every 7 days.
How do I get rid of scale insects on philodendron?
Brown shell-like bumps on stems and mid-ribs; sticky honeydew attracts sooty mould. Scrape off manually, then treat with horticultural oil spray every 10–14 days for three cycles.