Pests on Philodendrons

Aphids

• Aphids are tiny, teardrop-shaped, soft-bodied insects with long legs and antennae. They vary in color and may be red, brown, green, yellow or black. Aphids feed on plants by puncturing stems and leaves and sucking out the liquid within. Aphids typically feed in groups, tightly packed together on plant leaves or stems. Large numbers of aphids can cause your philodendron's leaves to yellow and curl, and may stunt plant growth. To control aphids, spray your philodendron with a strong stream of water to knock aphids off of the plant. Make sure to spray the undersides of leaves. If your philodendron is outdoors, you can release lady beetles, a predator of aphids, onto your plant.

Mealybugs

• Mealybugs are flat, oval, segmented, soft-bodied insects. Typically 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, mealybugs are covered in a white, waxy substance that protects them from pesticides. Mealybugs feed by extracting plant sap and honeydew. While extensive damage is rare, large populations of mealybug can cause leaves to turn yellow and drop. Because mealybugs are hard to control once they infest a plant, inspect your philodendron often for the pest, making sure to examine undersides of leaves and under any tape used to stake your plant. You can purchase lady beetles and release them on your plant to eliminate mealybugs or spray your plant with a ready-to-use insecticidal soap. If mealybug populations are large, it is best to get rid of your plant to prevent them from spreading.

Scale Insects

• Scale insects are flat, roundish beige or brown insects that are covered in a hard shell-like scale. Another sap-sucking pest, scales secrete honeydew, leaving them susceptible to sooty mold. When scale populations are low, you can remove them by hand from leaves and stems or dab them with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. You can create a mixture of 1 tablespoon of dish-washing detergent diluted in 1 quart of water and thoroughly spray your plant once a week for four weeks. If you aren't able to control the infestation, consider throwing out your philodendron so other plants don't become infested.

Spider Mites

• Spider mites are small, red, brown, yellow, or green sap-sucking pests. Hard to see with the naked eye, spider mites infestations are typically identified by the wispy webbing the bugs produce. Large infestations can lead to leaf discoloration and loss. Control spider mites by keeping your philodendron well watered and dust-free. Spray plants periodically with a strong stream of water to remove pests and wipe leaves with a soft cloth weekly as long as infestation persists. You should also prune away any heavily infested leaves or stems.