Peace Lily Plants & Mealybugs

Peace Lily

• Growing between 12 to 48 inches tall and wide, peace lilies produce deep green, glossy leaves that grow out of the soil. The oval leaves are wider around the middle and taper toward a narrow point. The graceful plants also produce mildly scented flowers that develop from light green to white. Resembling calla lilies, the lasting flowers are typically grown indoors. However, improper growing conditions or poor cultural practices make them susceptible to mealybug infestations.

Mealybugs

• Closely related to whiteflies and aphids, mealybugs are tiny, soft-bodied, flattened insects covered in a white waxy substance. Measuring 1/8 inch long, the pests have light pink or yellowish bodies dusted with white powder. Mealybugs have straw-like sucking mouthparts, or stylets, with which they puncture plant tissues to suck essential nutrients and juices. Symptoms of mealybug infestation on peace lilies include yellowing foliage and premature drop, distorted or stunted growth and blossom drop. Large infestations cause a gradual decline in the health of the peace lily -- and consequential death.

Control

• Flush out a few mealybugs on the foliage of your peace lily plants with water. Rub large colonies with an alcohol-soaked cloth, and crush the dislodged bugs. Alternatively, apply horticultural oil or an insecticidal soapy solution on pots, under the foliage and other spots where the pests can migrate. While horticultural oils suffocate the soft-bodied pests, soapy sprays rupture their cell membranes, causing desiccation. Use a registered insecticide containing permethrin, resmethrin or pyrethrin to control the pests. However, insecticides only provide short-term control and must be used when absolutely necessary. In some cases, repeat applications may be required for better control.

Prevention

• Because mealybugs are typically introduced to the interiorscape through an infested plant, inspect peace lily plants before purchase, and reject those that exhibit possible symptoms of infestations. Place new peace lily plants, including those acquired as gifts, in quarantine for two weeks to separate them from the remaining indoor plants. Inspect the plants frequently for signs of infestation, and treat promptly, if needed. Inspect the edges of the pot for white crawlers. Avoid overwatering or overfertilizing the peace lily plants to control chances of the pests.