Do you have a prayer plant in your home or garden and have noticed some pesky critters taking up residence around it? If so, you’re certainly not alone! Prayer plants are lovely and unique foliage that attract all sorts of pests, from spider mites to mealybugs. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to get rid of these critters while keeping your prayer plant healthy and happy.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at why these pests might be drawn to your houseplant and then provide easy instructions on how to treat them using organic means whenever possible. So keep reading if you want the secret to eradicating any unwelcome guests from your beloved prayer plant!
What is eating my prayer plant?
If you have recently noticed your prayer plant succulent being eaten, there are several possibilities as to what might be causing it. It could be due to an infestation of aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites that are attracted to the juicy green leaves.
Alternatively, slugs and snails may have moved in to feast on the tender new growth of this popular houseplant. To protect your plant from further damage, carefully inspect the leaves for signs of these pests, then take the necessary steps to control them.
Make sure to also check for other common issues such as excess sun or poor drainage which can also lead to leaf loss in plants. With a little bit of effort, you’re sure to find a solution and revive your beautiful prayer plant once again!
What do spider mites look like on a prayer plant?
Spider mites are notoriously difficult to see on a prayer plant due to their small size, but if you look closely you may spot them lurking in the undersides of leaves.
These tiny critters range in color from yellowish to black and can appear as spots, threads, or webs depending on the species. To make sure you’ve got an infestation, shake off the foliage of your prayer plant and observe what falls away—if plenty of squiggly-legged strangers appear, then spider mites have likely taken over.
How do you keep a prayer plant healthy?
Keeping a prayer plant healthy is not too difficult, as long as you give it the right care. Praying plants like warm temperatures, high humidity, and moist soil. To maintain the optimal environment for your prayer plant, water them with filtered water when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch and mist them with lukewarm water at least once per week.
Make sure to keep the leaves dust-free and in a spot where they can get exposure to indirect sunlight throughout the day. Fertilizing regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during its growing season will ensure your prayer plant is getting all of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Following these simple steps will make sure that your prayer plant thrives for years to come!
Should I remove damaged leaves from the prayer plant?
When considering whether or not to remove damaged leaves from a prayer plant, it is important to remember that it often has a far-reaching impact on the overall health of the plant.
Removing the dead leaves can prevent the disease from spreading and keep the other leaves healthy. On the other hand, if the affected area is very small and does not appear to be severely affecting the plant’s life, then it may be safe to leave the damaged leaves in place. It all depends on how much damage there is and how much room there is around it for other plants and beneficial insects.
Ultimately, caring for a prayer plant requires proper judgment calls and experienced diligence so make sure to do your best!
What are the little flies around my prayer plant?
Have you noticed small, dark flies hovering near your prayer plant? These common household pests are known as fungus gnats, and they thrive in the moist soil of indoor potted plants.
Fungus gnats can cause cosmetic damage to plants—especially seedlings and young plants—by eating away at the roots. While they rarely cause serious harm to established indoor plants like your prayer plant, they can become a nuisance once their population increases. To prevent further infestation, be sure to keep the top inch of soil in your prayer plant’s pot dry and allow water to drain away freely from the bottom of the pot.
Looking Ahead: How do I treat a Prayer Plant for pests?
Praying plants are not only a beautiful addition to any space, but they are also surprisingly low-maintenance and resilient houseplants. If unlucky enough to attract some pesky pests like mites, scale, or mealybugs, the best course of action is to identify the pest and move forward with proactive steps toward treating it.
Homemade remedies such as rubbing alcohol sprays, essential oils, and insecticidal soaps can be applied at regular intervals. For more severe cases, it may be necessary to reach for stronger products such as neem oil or diatomaceous earth. Whatever treatment you choose always keep in mind that spraying from the outside will limit damage to the inside of the plant and cause the least disruption to your plant’s life cycle.
Taking inventory of all of your plants regularly will help you stay ahead of potential issues. Happy gardening!
