Money Plant Mosquitoes – Your 5-Step Plan For A Healthy, Pest-Free

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

There’s nothing quite like the lush, cascading vines of a healthy Money Plant (or Pothos, as many of us know it). It’s cheerful, forgiving, and brings a wonderful touch of green to our homes. But then you notice them: tiny, black, buzzing flies flitting around the soil, landing on the leaves, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. You start wondering if your beloved plant is the problem.

I hear this all the time from fellow gardeners, and I want you to know you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common frustrations with these otherwise easy-going houseplants. The good news? It’s an easy fix, and it has nothing to do with your plant being “unclean” or faulty.

I promise that by the time you finish this guide, you’ll not only understand exactly why you’re seeing these pests, but you’ll also have a clear, step-by-step plan to get rid of them for good. We’re going to dive into identifying the real culprit, a simple action plan to eliminate them, and the money plant mosquitoes best practices to ensure they never come back.

Let’s get your plant back to being a source of joy, not a home for unwanted guests!

First, Let’s Get One Thing Straight: Does the Money Plant Attract Mosquitoes?

This is the million-dollar question, and it’s time for some friendly myth-busting. The short answer is no, the Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum) itself does not have any special properties that attract mosquitoes or other pests. In fact, no houseplant really “attracts” them in that way.

The confusion arises from a simple misunderstanding. It’s not the plant they love; it’s the environment we create for the plant.

Think of it like this: a swimming pool doesn’t attract people, but it provides the perfect environment for them to gather on a hot day. Similarly, your plant’s pot can become the perfect breeding ground for certain insects if the conditions are just right.

The Real Culprits: Why Your Money Plant Has Become a Pest Hotspot

If it’s not mosquitoes, what are those tiny flying insects? In 99% of cases, when you see little black flies buzzing around your houseplants, you’re dealing with Fungus Gnats, not mosquitoes.

Fungus gnats look like tiny, delicate mosquitoes, but they don’t bite humans. They are drawn to one thing and one thing only: consistently damp soil. The adult gnats lay their eggs in the top few inches of moist potting mix, where their larvae feast on fungi and decaying organic matter.

The number one cause of a fungus gnat infestation is overwatering. It’s the most common mistake even experienced gardeners make! When the soil stays soggy, it creates the perfect five-star resort for fungus gnats to check in and raise a family.

What About Actual Mosquitoes?

While less common indoors, it is possible for actual mosquitoes to breed near your plant. This only happens if there is standing water. Check the saucer or cachepot beneath your Money Plant. If water has collected there and sat for more than a few days, it’s a prime spot for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. This is a key part of any money plant mosquitoes care guide: always dump out excess water!

Your Complete Money Plant Mosquitoes Guide: A 5-Step Action Plan

Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves and reclaim your plant. Don’t worry—this is straightforward and very effective. Follow these five steps, and you’ll see a dramatic improvement. This is the ultimate guide for how to money plant mosquitoes and gnats are handled.

Step 1: Isolate and Inspect

First things first, move the affected Money Plant away from any other houseplants you have. Fungus gnats can and will spread. Take a close look at the soil surface. Do you see tiny, silvery larvae wiggling around? Do adult gnats fly up when you disturb the soil? Confirming the pest helps confirm the plan.

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Step 2: Let the Soil Dry Out Completely

This is the most critical step. Fungus gnat larvae cannot survive in dry soil. You need to break their life cycle. Stop watering your plant immediately and allow the top two to three inches of soil to become completely dry to the touch. Your Money Plant is very drought-tolerant and will be perfectly fine with this—in fact, it probably needs the break!

Step 3: Trap the Annoying Adults

While the soil is drying out, you need to deal with the adult gnats that are flying around. The easiest and most effective method is using yellow sticky traps.

  • These are non-toxic, bright yellow cards coated in adhesive.
  • Fungus gnats are attracted to the color yellow, fly over, get stuck, and can no longer lay eggs.
  • Simply place a few traps on stakes in the pot’s soil. You’ll be amazed (and a little horrified) at how many you catch.

Step 4: Target the Larvae in the Soil

Once the soil is dry and it’s time to water again, you can take an extra step to kill any remaining larvae. Here are two fantastic, eco-friendly options:

  1. Hydrogen Peroxide Drench: Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide (the kind from the pharmacy) with four parts water. Water your plant thoroughly with this solution. The peroxide will fizzle in the soil, killing gnat larvae and eggs on contact without harming your plant’s roots. It also has the added benefit of aerating the soil!
  2. Beneficial Nematodes: This is a more advanced but incredibly effective biological control. Nematodes are microscopic worms that hunt down and destroy pest larvae in the soil. You can buy them online or at garden centers. It’s a truly sustainable money plant mosquitoes solution.

Step 5: Repot as a Last Resort

If you have a truly severe infestation that doesn’t respond to the steps above, it might be time for a fresh start. Repot your Money Plant in fresh, sterile potting mix. Gently shake off as much of the old, infested soil from the roots as you can before placing it in its new home. This ensures you’ve removed any lingering eggs or larvae.

Prevention is Key: Sustainable Money Plant Mosquitoes Best Practices

Once you’ve won the battle, you need to win the war. Preventing pests from coming back is all about creating an environment they hate. And that means mastering your watering routine.

Master the Art of Watering

The golden rule for Money Plants is to water deeply, but infrequently. Instead of giving it a little splash every few days, wait until the soil is dry and then give it a thorough soak until water runs out the drainage holes. Then, let it dry out again.

Pro Tip: Use the “knuckle test.” Stick your finger into the soil up to your second knuckle. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If you feel any moisture, wait a few more days.

Ensure Excellent Drainage

Your pot must have drainage holes. If your plant is in a decorative pot without holes (a cachepot), keep it in its plastic nursery pot and simply place that inside the decorative one. After watering, remove the inner pot and dump any excess water from the cachepot. Never let your Money Plant sit in a puddle of water.

Consider Bottom Watering

A great technique to keep the soil surface dry is bottom watering. Place your plant pot in a sink or tray with a few inches of water. Let it soak up water through its drainage holes for 15-20 minutes, until the top of the soil is just barely moist. This delivers water directly to the roots and leaves the surface less hospitable for gnats.

Eco-Friendly Solutions: Gentle Yet Effective Pest Control

If you’re looking for more natural and eco-friendly money plant mosquitoes control methods, here are a few of my favorites. These are great for minor issues or ongoing prevention.

  • Neem Oil: A gardener’s best friend! A diluted neem oil solution can be sprayed on the soil to act as a repellent and growth disruptor for pests.
  • Diatomaceous Earth (DE): This is a fine powder made from fossilized algae. It feels soft to us, but its microscopic shards are razor-sharp to insects. Sprinkle a thin layer of food-grade DE over dry soil. It will shred the exoskeletons of any gnats that try to crawl across it.
  • Cinnamon: Believe it or not, a light dusting of cinnamon on the soil surface acts as a natural fungicide, destroying the food source for fungus gnat larvae. Plus, it smells great!
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Troubleshooting Common Problems with Money Plant Mosquitoes

Sometimes things don’t go exactly to plan. Here are a few common hiccups and how to navigate them.

“The gnats came back! What did I do wrong?”
Don’t be discouraged! This almost always means watering habits have slipped back to being too frequent. Recommit to letting the soil dry out completely between waterings. It can take a few life cycles (a few weeks) to completely eradicate them, so be persistent with sticky traps and mindful watering.

“My plant’s leaves are turning yellow.”
Yellowing leaves on a Money Plant are the classic sign of overwatering. This just confirms that the root cause of your gnat problem is too much moisture. Let the plant dry out, and the yellowing should stop on new growth.

“Are these pests harmful to my plant?”
In small numbers, adult fungus gnats are just an annoyance. However, in a large infestation, the larvae can begin to feed on the fine root hairs of your plant, which can lead to stunted growth and wilting. So, it’s always best to address the problem early.

Frequently Asked Questions About Money Plant Mosquitoes

Do money plants really repel mosquitoes?

No, this is a common myth. While some plants like citronella, lavender, and marigolds have scents that can help repel mosquitoes outdoors, the Money Plant does not have this property. The association comes from the fact that improperly cared for plants can create breeding grounds for pests that look like mosquitoes.

How can I get rid of pests on my money plant growing in water?

This is a great question! If you’re propagating a Money Plant in water, you might attract fungus gnats or even mosquitoes. The key is to change the water every 2-3 days. This disrupts the life cycle of any pests trying to lay eggs. You can also add a drop of dish soap to the water, but be sure to rinse the roots and change the water completely the next day.

Can I use a dish soap spray?

A simple spray of water with a few drops of dish soap can kill adult gnats on contact. However, it doesn’t address the larvae in the soil, which is the root of the problem. It’s a decent temporary fix for the fliers but should be combined with drying out the soil for a long-term solution.

Your Pest-Free Journey Starts Now

See? It’s not so scary after all. The issue of money plant mosquitoes or fungus gnats is less about the plant and all about the water. By shifting your care routine and focusing on what your plant truly needs—a good dry spell between drinks—you create a healthy environment that pests simply can’t tolerate.

You have the knowledge and the tools. You have a simple plan to follow. Your beautiful Money Plant is counting on you to provide the right care, and now you know exactly how to do it. Take a deep breath, dump out that standing water, and let the drying-out process begin.

Happy gardening, my friend!

Rimon Chowdhury
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