Bugs or pests
Catching pests early is the difference between a minor annoyance and losing a plant — check the undersides of leaves, not just the tops.
Causes, how to tell, and fixes
- 1
Spider mites
How to tell
Tiny yellow/white speckling on leaves, fine webbing in advanced cases, visible with a magnifier as small moving dots on leaf undersides
Fix
Increase humidity slightly (mites prefer dry conditions), and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil, covering leaf undersides thoroughly
- 2
Fungus gnats
How to tell
Small flying insects around the soil surface, larvae visible in top layer of wet soil
Fix
Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings (larvae need moisture to survive) and consider yellow sticky traps
- 3
Aphids
How to tell
Small clustered insects on new growth and stems, sometimes with a sticky residue (honeydew) nearby
Fix
Insecticidal soap or a strong water spray for light infestations; introduce ladybugs for larger outdoor grows