If something is eating your spider plant, the usual suspects are spider mites, aphids, scale, mealybugs, and fungus gnats. Cats chewing the leaves can also cause ragged tips. Here is how to tell them apart and treat the plant.
How to find the culprit
- Spider mites: Tiny specks, fine webbing on leaf undersides, and pale stippled leaves. They thrive in dry air.
- Aphids: Small soft bugs in clusters on new growth, often with sticky “honeydew” on the leaves.
- Scale: Small brown bumps on stems and leaves that you can scrape off with a fingernail.
- Mealybugs: White, cottony clumps where leaves meet the stem.
- Fungus gnats: Tiny flies around the pot. The larvae live in wet soil and can damage roots.
A hand lens helps. Check both sides of the leaves and the soil surface.
Treat the plant
- Isolate it. Move the plant away from your other houseplants.
- Rinse it. Rinse the leaves in the sink or shower to knock off mites and aphids.
- Wipe and remove. Wipe leaves with a cloth and mild soapy water, and dab mealybugs and scale with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Follow the label directions and repeat as directed. Spray the undersides too.
- Fix the cause. Let the top inch or two of soil dry between waterings to cut fungus gnats, and raise humidity a bit if mites are the problem.
Yellow sticky traps help catch adult gnats. If the infestation is heavy, cut off badly damaged leaves.
Is it a pest or a watering problem?
Brown leaf tips on spider plants are very common and are usually caused by dry air, too much fertilizer, or chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine in tap water, not by bugs. Try using filtered or rainwater and see if the new growth stays green.
Cats and spider plants
Spider plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. Many cats love to chew the leaves, which leaves ragged edges, and a lot of chewing can cause an upset stomach. If your pet nibbles the plant, move it out of reach and offer cat grass instead.
If you use sprays, keep pets away until the plant is dry, and read the label to confirm the product is safe around pets. Call your vet or a pet poison hotline if your pet eats a treated plant.
Bottom Line
Look closely for mites, aphids, scale, mealybugs, and gnats, then rinse, wipe, and treat with soap or neem. Water properly, and keep the plant out of your pet’s reach.
This article is general information. Call your veterinarian if your pet shows signs of illness.
