Scale on Spider Plant: Treatment and Prevention

Confirming the Pest

Betty's sticky residue on spider plant indicates scale insects or whitefly larvae (white scales). Both suck sap and excrete honeydew.

Treatment Options

• For light infestation: wipe leaves with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs.
• For heavy infestation: apply systemic insecticide (granules in soil or foliar spray).
• Always test spray on one leaf first.

When to Let Go

If the plant is heavily infested and declining, consider discarding it to protect your other spider plants. They propagate easily from plantlets, so you can start fresh.

Prevention

Inspect new plants, quarantine 2 weeks, keep foliage clean, and maintain plant vigor with proper light, water, and fertilizer—healthy plants resist pests better.