Jade Plants With Worms

Fungus Gnats

• Adult fungus gnats look like small files or mosquitoes. They lay their eggs on the soil of houseplants, and their larvae feed on decaying matter within the soil and on plant roots. The larvae have clear or white bodies with black heads. Plants that appear stunted or that droop but show no obvious damage may have fungus gnat maggots, notes the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension. The Colorado State University Extension suggests you place small wedges of potato in your jade plant's soil, wait a few days then turn them over to test for fungus gnat larvae. If you notice a decline in your jade plants accompanied by the presence of fungus gnats, the gnats may not be to blame for the damage. Jade plants prefer an environment with low humidity, so you should water your plants well once a week, remove any excess water and allow the soil to dry out between waterings, according to the Cornell Cooperative Extension. This type of care will also help deter fungus gnats.

Nematodes

• You are unlikely to see thread-like nematodes in your jade plant's soil, but you may see the damage from their feeding on the plant itself. Some nematodes feed on roots; foliar nematodes damage leaves. They find their way into your jade plant's soil through garden soil or contaminated garden tools or arrive by way of newly purchased plants. Beneficial nematodes are introduced into the soil by growers in some cases. According to the Colorado State University Extension, insect-parasitic nematodes are used to help control fungus gnat larvae.

Leafminers

• Leafminers are the larvae of several types of small flies. As they feed, the worms leave trails across plant leaves. Jade plants may come into contact with the flies if they enter your home during warmer months. Remove the infested part of the plant and apply neem insecticide to fight infestations. Horticultural oil is safe for use on jade plants and can be used to control leafminers, notes the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

Considerations

• Common jade plant pests include mealybugs, spider mites and scales, but these pests do not have a stage of development with a wormy appearance. Do not use insecticidal soap on jade plants to treat for pests as these plants are sensitive to it, warns the Clemson Cooperative Extension. Jade plants grow slowly, so damage to the foliage or roots can take some time to heal. The faster you can diagnose and act upon a problem, the less stress your plants will have to endure.