Pest identification
What's eating my prayer plant?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine silvery stippling and bronzing on leaf surfaces with webbing on undersides; leaves curl at edges in severe cases.
Control: Shower the plant, mist leaves daily, and spray neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days for 3–4 weeks. Group plants to maintain humidity.
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits between leaves and in the crown; leaves develop sticky patches and growth slows.
Control: Dab alcohol on visible bugs, apply neem oil spray over the whole plant, and inspect again after 10 days.
Aphids
Signs: Soft insects on new shoots and unfurling leaves; distorted growth and honeydew residue.
Control: Knock off with a gentle water stream or insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 5–7 days until clear.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae attack fine roots, weakening the plant; adults are visible hovering over moist soil.
Control: Reduce watering frequency; use sticky traps and apply Bti soil drench to kill larvae.
Keep prayer plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Prayer plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my prayer plant?
Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) love humidity, which unfortunately also suits spider mites — their worst indoor pest. Mealybugs and aphids occasionally target new growth, while fungus gnats emerge when soil stays too moist. Maintaining consistently high humidity (above 50%) discourages mites and keeps the plant resilient.
How do I get rid of spider mites on prayer plant?
Fine silvery stippling and bronzing on leaf surfaces with webbing on undersides; leaves curl at edges in severe cases. Shower the plant, mist leaves daily, and spray neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days for 3–4 weeks. Group plants to maintain humidity.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on prayer plant?
Cottony white deposits between leaves and in the crown; leaves develop sticky patches and growth slows. Dab alcohol on visible bugs, apply neem oil spray over the whole plant, and inspect again after 10 days.
How do I get rid of aphids on prayer plant?
Soft insects on new shoots and unfurling leaves; distorted growth and honeydew residue. Knock off with a gentle water stream or insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 5–7 days until clear.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on prayer plant?
Larvae attack fine roots, weakening the plant; adults are visible hovering over moist soil. Reduce watering frequency; use sticky traps and apply Bti soil drench to kill larvae.