Houseplant pests are often small and easy to miss at first, so regular inspection is the best way to catch problems early. Look closely under the leaves, along the stems, and around stem joints, where many pests like to hide.
Common signs of pests include:
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Tiny moving dots on leaves or stems
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Fine webbing between leaves (often caused by spider mites)
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Cotton-like clusters in leaf joints (mealybugs)
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Small hard bumps attached to stems (scale insects)
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Tiny flies around the soil (fungus gnats)
Make it a habit to check your plants weekly, especially new arrivals or plants that seem stressed. Early infestations are dramatically easier to treat before pests spread to the rest of your collection.
If you suspect pests, gently cleaning the leaves and stems with a treatment such as Zero-In Horticultural Soap can help control outbreaks.
For a full guide, see our Pests Hub, particularly the section on identify houseplant pests.