Small Bugs On Money Plant – Your Complete Identification &

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

There’s nothing quite like the pride you feel watching your Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum) thrive, its lush green vines cascading beautifully. But then you spot them—tiny, unwelcome guests crawling on the leaves or hovering around the soil. It’s a moment that can make any plant parent’s heart sink.

I get it. Discovering pests can feel like a major setback. You might worry that all your hard work is about to be undone. But please, don’t panic! Finding small bugs on money plant foliage is one of the most common challenges gardeners face, and it is absolutely manageable.

I promise that with a little know-how, you can confidently identify these critters, treat the issue effectively, and set your plant up for a pest-free future. This guide is designed to be your friendly companion through the entire process.

We’ll walk through exactly how to pinpoint which bugs you’re dealing with, explore gentle yet powerful eco-friendly treatments, and learn the best practices to prevent them from ever coming back. Let’s get your Money Plant back to its happy, healthy self!

First Things First: Identifying the Intruders on Your Plant

Before you can fight back, you need to know your enemy. Different pests require slightly different approaches, so grabbing a magnifying glass (or just using your phone’s camera to zoom in) is the perfect first step. Let’s look at the most common culprits.

H3: Spider Mites

These are technically arachnids, not insects, and they are incredibly tiny. You might not even see the mites themselves, but you will definitely see the damage they leave behind.

  • What to Look For: Look for fine, silky webbing, especially on the undersides of leaves and where the leaf meets the stem. You may also see tiny yellow or brown spots on the leaves, a pattern often called stippling.
  • The Damage: A heavy infestation can cause leaves to turn yellow, become dry and brittle, and eventually fall off.

H3: Mealybugs

Mealybugs are masters of disguise, often looking like little bits of cotton fluff. They love to hide in the nooks and crannies of your plant, making them tricky to spot at first.

  • What to Look For: Small, white, waxy insects that look like tiny cotton balls. They are often found clustered in leaf axils (where the leaf joins the stem) and on the undersides of leaves.
  • The Damage: They suck the sap from your plant, leading to yellowing leaves and stunted growth. They also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can lead to sooty mold.

H3: Aphids

Aphids are one of the most common houseplant pests. They multiply incredibly quickly, so catching them early is key. They are a classic example of the common problems with small bugs on money plant care.

  • What to Look For: Tiny, pear-shaped insects that can be green, black, yellow, or pink. They typically cluster on new, tender growth and the undersides of leaves.
  • The Damage: Just like mealybugs, they suck sap, causing leaves to curl, yellow, and distort. They also produce sticky honeydew.

H3: Fungus Gnats

If you see small, black flies that look like tiny mosquitoes buzzing around your plant, you have fungus gnats. The adults are mostly an annoyance, but their larvae are the real problem.

  • What to Look For: The adult gnats flying around the plant and soil. The larvae live in the top inch or two of moist soil.
  • The Damage: The larvae feed on organic matter in the soil and, unfortunately, the tender roots of your Money Plant, which can lead to wilting and poor growth.

Your Action Plan: How to Get Rid of Small Bugs on Your Money Plant

Okay, you’ve identified the pest. Now it’s time to take action! My philosophy is to always start with the gentlest, most eco-friendly small bugs on money plant solutions first. These methods are highly effective and safer for you, your pets, and your plant.

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Pro Tip: The very first thing you should do is isolate your infested plant. Move it far away from your other houseplants to prevent the pests from spreading. This is a critical first step!

Step 1: Manual Removal (The First Line of Defense)

For light infestations, sometimes a hands-on approach is all you need. It’s satisfying and instantly reduces the pest population.

  • For Aphids and Spider Mites: Take your plant to a sink or shower and give it a firm but gentle spray of lukewarm water. This will dislodge many of the pests. You can also wipe down each leaf with a soft, damp cloth.
  • For Mealybugs: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol) and touch it directly to each mealybug. The alcohol dissolves their protective waxy coating.

Step 2: Gentle & Eco-Friendly Soap Sprays

Insecticidal soap is a fantastic tool in any plant parent’s arsenal. It works by suffocating soft-bodied insects like aphids and mites on contact, without leaving behind harsh residues.

You can buy a pre-made insecticidal soap, or you can easily make your own!

  1. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of a mild, fragrance-free liquid soap (like Castile soap, not detergent) into 1 quart (about 1 liter) of water.
  2. Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and shake well.
  3. Thoroughly spray your Money Plant, making sure to cover the tops and bottoms of all leaves and stems.
  4. Let it sit for a few hours, then rinse the plant with plain water to remove any soap residue.

Step 3: The Power of Neem Oil

Neem oil is a natural extract from the neem tree, and it’s a true gardening superstar. It acts as an insecticide, a fungicide, and a repellent. This is a cornerstone of any sustainable small bugs on money plant management plan.

To use it, you’ll need to create a spray solution:

  • Mix 1-2 teaspoons of pure, cold-pressed neem oil and 1/2 teaspoon of mild liquid soap (this acts as an emulsifier to help the oil and water mix) with 1 quart of warm water.
  • Shake vigorously and spray the plant thoroughly, just as you would with the soap spray.
  • Apply every 7-10 days until you see no more signs of pests. It’s best to apply in the evening to avoid any risk of leaf burn from direct sunlight.

Building a Fortress: A Proactive Prevention Guide

Getting rid of pests is great, but keeping them away for good is even better. Adopting a few small bugs on money plant best practices into your routine will make your plant an undesirable home for pests.

Perfecting Your Watering Routine

Overwatering is the number one invitation for fungus gnats. Their larvae thrive in consistently damp soil. Let the top 1-2 inches of your Money Plant’s soil dry out completely before watering again. This simple change creates an inhospitable environment for them.

The Importance of Good Airflow and Light

Pests like spider mites flourish in stagnant, dry air. Ensuring good air circulation around your plants can make a huge difference. You don’t need a fan blowing on them constantly; just avoid cramming them too tightly together. A healthy plant receiving the right amount of bright, indirect light is also much stronger and more resilient to pest attacks.

Keep It Clean: Plant Hygiene Best Practices

A little housekeeping goes a long way! Regularly wipe your Money Plant’s leaves with a damp cloth. This not only keeps them looking glossy and beautiful but also removes dust that can harbor pests and allows the plant to photosynthesize more efficiently.

Quarantine New Plants

This is my golden rule! Any new plant you bring home, no matter how healthy it looks, should be kept in a separate room for at least 2-4 weeks. This quarantine period gives you time to spot any hidden pests before they have a chance to invade your entire collection.

Common Problems with Small Bugs on Money Plant (And How to Solve Them)

Even with the best care, you might run into a few hurdles. Here are some common problems and the quick solutions you need.

“The Bugs Keep Coming Back!” – Breaking the Life Cycle

This is a frequent frustration! You treat your plant, and a week later, the bugs are back. This happens because most treatments only kill adult insects, leaving the eggs to hatch later. The secret is persistence. You must re-apply your chosen treatment (like neem oil or soap spray) every 5-7 days for at least 3-4 weeks to break the pest life cycle and eliminate newly hatched generations.

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“My Plant’s Leaves are Sticky and Black.” – Dealing with Honeydew

If you notice a sticky residue on the leaves or the surface below your plant, that’s honeydew. The black stuff is sooty mold, a fungus that grows on the honeydew. While it looks alarming, it’s easy to solve. Simply wipe the leaves clean with a cloth dipped in soapy water. Once you eliminate the pests producing the honeydew (aphids or mealybugs), the problem will stop.

“I’m Worried About Harming My Plant with Treatments.” – Patch Testing 101

It’s smart to be cautious! Before dousing your entire plant in a new spray, it’s always a good idea to do a “patch test.” Spray a small amount on one or two inconspicuous leaves and wait 24 hours. If there are no signs of damage like discoloration or burning, you can confidently treat the rest of the plant.

Are There Any Benefits of Small Bugs on a Money Plant?

This is an interesting question that sometimes comes up. Let’s be perfectly clear: when it comes to pests like aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats, there are absolutely no benefits to having them on your indoor Money Plant. They are purely destructive, draining your plant of vital nutrients.

However, the experience of dealing with them does have a silver lining. It transforms you into a more attentive and knowledgeable plant parent. You learn to inspect your plants more closely, understand their environmental needs better, and become a proactive problem-solver. In that sense, the “benefit” is the gardening wisdom you gain along the way!

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Bugs on a Money Plant

Why does my money plant keep getting bugs?

Pests are often a sign of an underlying stressor or environmental issue. The most common reasons include overwatering (attracting fungus gnats), low humidity (attracting spider mites), poor air circulation, or simply being placed near an already infested plant or an open window where pests can fly in.

Is it safe to use chemical pesticides on my indoor money plant?

I always recommend starting with the gentle, eco-friendly methods outlined in this guide. Chemical pesticides should be a last resort for indoor plants. They can be harsh on the plant and pose potential risks to children, pets, and the air quality in your home. If you must use one, choose a product specifically formulated for houseplants and follow the safety instructions to the letter.

Can I just change the soil to get rid of the bugs?

Repotting with fresh soil is a very effective strategy for controlling soil-dwelling pests, especially fungus gnat larvae. However, it won’t do anything for pests living on the leaves and stems, like mealybugs or spider mites. It’s best used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, not as a standalone solution.

Your Path to a Pest-Free Plant

Discovering small bugs on your Money Plant can be disheartening, but it is not a gardening death sentence. It’s a solvable problem that every plant lover encounters at some point.

Remember the simple three-step approach: Identify, Treat, and Prevent. By being observant, acting promptly with gentle solutions, and maintaining a healthy environment for your plant, you have all the tools you need to succeed.

Don’t let a few tiny pests discourage you. See this as an opportunity to connect more deeply with your plant and hone your green-thumb skills. You’ve got this!

Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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