Spider Mites on Houseplants: Detection & Control

Tiny but Destructive

Spider mites (about 1 mm) are arachnids, not insects. The two-spotted spider mite is most common indoors. They pierce leaf cells and suck contents, causing stippling, bronzing, and leaf drop. Fine webbing at leaf-stem junctions is a telltale sign.

How to Spot Them

• Gritty feel when rubbing a leaf
• Tiny moving dots on leaf undersides (use a magnifier)
• Webbing in advanced cases

Prevention

• Keep plants clean and dust-free—mites love dust.
• Increase humidity; mites thrive in dry air.
• Quarantine new plants.

Treatment

Spray every 10 days for a month with insecticidal soap (potassium fatty acid soap). It works on contact, disrupting cell membranes. Also effective on fungal issues like botrytis and leaf spot. Cover all surfaces, especially undersides. Repeat is crucial—eggs survive the first spray.

Alternative

Neem oil and horticultural oils also work. For severe infestations, consider a miticide labeled for indoor use.