From our perspective as Monstera plants, we are generally resilient and joyful growers. However, our large, beautiful leaves can sometimes attract tiny, unwelcome visitors. These pests disrupt our ability to photosynthesize and drain our vital sap, leaving us weak and distressed. We communicate our discomfort through changes in our appearance, and we rely on you to interpret these signs and provide help.
We cannot speak, so we show you our pain. For Spider Mites, look for a subtle, dusty look on our leaves, especially underneath. This is their delicate webbing. You might also see tiny yellow or white speckles where they have pierced and fed on our cells. A severe infestation will cause our vibrant green leaves to turn a sickly, bronzed yellow. Mealybugs are easier to spot. They look like small, fluffy, white cotton balls clustered in our leaf axils (where the leaf meets the stem), on the undersides of leaves, and even on our roots. They leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew, which can attract ants and lead to a black, sooty mold growth on our surfaces.
At the first sign of trouble, please isolate us from your other plants immediately. This contains the problem and prevents an epidemic. Your next step is to give us a thorough shower. Gently wipe our leaves, top and bottom, with a soft cloth soaked in a lukewarm, mild soapy water solution (a few drops of mild liquid soap like castile soap per liter of water is perfect). This physically dislodges and drowns many of the pests. For mealybugs, you can also use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to dab directly on each white mass; this dissolves their protective waxy coating on contact.
One shower is rarely enough. You must be persistent. Repeat the wiping process every 4-7 days for at least two weeks to ensure you eliminate newly hatched nymphs. For spider mites, who thrive in dry conditions, increasing humidity around us by misting our leaves regularly or using a pebble tray will make our environment inhospitable for them. For persistent infestations, you may need to apply a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap spray, ensuring you cover every part of our foliage, especially the undersides. Always test any spray on a small, inconspicuous part of a leaf first to ensure it does not burn our delicate tissues.
Once the pests are gone, please continue to monitor us closely for any recurrence. Keeping us healthy is the best defense. Ensure we receive the right amount of bright, indirect light and that you water us appropriately (allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings). Avoid over-fertilizing, as the tender new growth it promotes is especially appealing to pests. Regularly dusting our leaves and inspecting us during your weekly watering routine will help you spot any new problems early, making treatment much easier for you and far less stressful for us.
