Solving Spider Mites in Houseplants
Sep 01, 2025
Spider mites don’t care if it’s one plant or a whole shelf. Catching them early can protect your entire collection.
On houseplants—whether it’s a single alocasia, pothos, monstera, or lily—spider mites often start with subtle leaf speckling and fine webbing tucked into leaf joints or along stems. These symptoms are easy to miss and often mistaken for dust, dryness, or nutrient stress. To distinguish spider mite webbing from a true spider’s web, look for dense, irregular silk wrapped tightly around leaves, stems, or buds—rather than geometric, suspended structures. To confirm the As pressure builds, mites spin fine, silky webbing across stems and foliage—a signature symptom that sets them apart from other common plant problems.
Spider mites can hide in tight folds, like those on an alocasia stem, or under leaves where they’re hard to reach with sprays. That’s why early detection is key. Scout regularly for speckling, webbing, and leaf discoloration—especially in warm, dry environments or near windows and vents.
Before introducing new plants to your collection, isolate them in a clear enclosure with stable conditions. Reduce airflow and monitor regularly—this encourages any hidden pressure to reveal itself before it spreads to your setup.
Once you’ve confirmed pressure or suspect early signs, it’s time to act. Beneficial predatory mites like Spidex and Spical can crawl into hidden spaces and feed on all life stages of spider mites. For visible damage, apply bottle formulations directly to affected plants. Not seeing any signs of spider mites, but want peace of mind? Preventative sachets work for around 6 weeks, and mitigate any problems which may be present or developing, allowing more time to act should pressure build. These predators work quickly and effectively, even in tight leaf joints and stem folds.
Sachets are easy to apply. Place them directly on the soil surface or clip them to a lower stem—somewhere shaded and out of direct airflow. This allows the predatory mites inside to disperse gradually and reach the areas where spider mites are most likely to hide.
After introducing beneficials, continue checking your plants during regular care routines like watering or rotating. Focus on leaf undersides, stems, and tight crevices. Sticky cards aren’t essential for small collections, but they can be helpful if you’re managing a larger group of plants or want extra peace of mind. The key is consistent, close-up observation—mites can reappear if left unchecked, and early signs are often subtle.
Want to learn more about how to solve spider mites? Check out our article Solving Spider Mites for identification tips, treatment strategies, and biocontrol recommendations—all in one place.
Some chemicals negate the effects of beneficial controls. If you’re navigating the shift from chemical to biological control, we’re here to help—just reach out to us at orders@koppert.com or simply message our live agents through the chat box in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
Treating a large space and looking for expert advice on IPM strategy? Just fill out our contact us form Personal Service Inquiry | Natural Enemies and we’ll reach out with tailored support to help you build a plan that works.
