How to Spot and Treat Spider Mites on Houseplants

Spider mites may be tiny, but they can cause big problems for your houseplants if left unchecked. These sap-sucking pests thrive in warm, dry conditions and can spread quickly from one plant to another. The good news? With early detection and the right treatment, you can keep spider mites from taking over your indoor jungle.

What Are Spider Mites?

Spider mites are microscopic arachnids (related to spiders) that feed on plant sap. Individually, they’re hard to see with the naked eye, but when their populations grow, the damage becomes obvious.

They reproduce rapidly, especially in dry indoor air, which is why infestations can seem to appear overnight.

How to Spot Spider Mites

Here are the key signs your plant might have spider mites:

Fine webbing: Look for delicate, spider-like silk on the undersides of leaves or between stems.

Speckled or stippled leaves: As spider mites feed, they leave behind tiny yellow or white dots on the foliage. Over time, leaves may turn bronze, dry out, or drop off.

Tiny moving dots: If you look closely (or use a magnifying glass), you may see the mites crawling on leaves.

Dusty appearance: Heavy infestations can make leaves look dull, dusty, or faded.

Pro tip: Hold a sheet of white paper under a leaf and tap it. If tiny specks fall onto the paper and start moving, you’re looking at spider mites.

How to Treat Spider Mites

If you catch spider mites early, treatment is much easier. Here are the best steps to take:

1. Isolate the Plant

Spider mites spread quickly, so move the infested plant away from your other houseplants to prevent them from hopping around.

2. Rinse the Leaves

Give your plant a thorough shower. Use lukewarm water to rinse off as many mites, eggs, and webs as possible. Pay special attention to the undersides of leaves.

3. Wipe with a Damp Cloth

For sturdy-leafed plants (like Monstera or Rubber Plants), you can wipe down leaves with a damp cloth to physically remove pests.

4. Apply Natural Remedies

Insecticidal soap or neem oil: Spray directly on the leaves (top and underside), stems, and any visible webs. Repeat every few days until the mites are gone.

Homemade spray: Mix water with a few drops of mild dish soap or neem oil for a DIY mite treatment.

5. Increase Humidity

Spider mites hate humid environments. Misting alone isn’t a long-term solution, but pairing treatment with a humidifier can make your plant less inviting to future infestations.

6. Monitor Closely

Spider mites reproduce quickly, so continue checking your plant every few days. Repeat treatments as needed until you see no more signs.

Preventing Spider Mites

Check new plants before bringing them indoors.

Dust leaves regularly with a damp cloth—mites love dusty, dry foliage.

Keep humidity up, especially in winter when heaters dry out the air.

Inspect often: catching spider mites early makes treatment much easier.

Final Tip: Don’t panic if you spot spider mites—it happens to even the most experienced plant parents. With quick action and consistent treatment, your plant can recover and bounce back stronger than ever.