Pest identification
What's eating my inch plant?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale speckling on leaves; webbing at stem tips; leaves become dull and papery in low humidity
Control: Increase humidity, shower foliage, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until clear
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied insects clustered on tender shoot tips; sticky honeydew; distorted young growth
Control: Wipe off by hand or blast with water; treat with insecticidal soap; prune heavily infested tips
Fungus gnats
Signs: Root damage from larvae in persistently moist compost; adult gnats around soil surface
Control: Let the top inch of soil dry before watering; use Bti drench or sticky yellow traps for adults
Keep inch plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Inch Plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my inch plant?
Inch Plant is a vigorous soft-stemmed houseplant susceptible to spider mites in dry rooms and aphids on new growth. Fungus gnats colonize moist soil. Where grown outdoors in warmer climates it can attract slugs. Its rapid growth means infestations can spread before being noticed.
How do I get rid of spider mites on inch plant?
Tiny pale speckling on leaves; webbing at stem tips; leaves become dull and papery in low humidity Increase humidity, shower foliage, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray weekly until clear
How do I get rid of aphids on inch plant?
Soft-bodied insects clustered on tender shoot tips; sticky honeydew; distorted young growth Wipe off by hand or blast with water; treat with insecticidal soap; prune heavily infested tips
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on inch plant?
Root damage from larvae in persistently moist compost; adult gnats around soil surface Let the top inch of soil dry before watering; use Bti drench or sticky yellow traps for adults