It happens in the blink of an eye. One day your plant looks fine, and the next, it’s covered in countless tiny critters. These little arachnids stay busy weaving delicate webs on the undersides of leaves, literally sucking the life out of your English ivy and causing it to dry up before you know it. If you’re dealing with these uninvited guests, here’s how to take a stand and save your greenery.
Early Warning Signs of an Infestation
Unless your indoor ivy is front and center on your desk, you’ll probably miss the early stages of an infestation. These tiny pests are experts at hiding, usually hanging out on the undersides of leaves or tucked away in the leaf axils. However, after just a few days, you’ll start noticing some changes that are hard to ignore:
- The leaves start drying out
- You notice more and more dropping leaves
- You might spot very fine, shimmering webs
If you want definitive proof, grab a magnifying glass and check the undersides of the leaves. These pests are tiny—only about 0.25 to 0.8 mm—and look like moving reddish dots. You’ll also likely see more webbing and feel a slightly sticky film on the foliage.
Take Action Immediately
Spider mites multiply at lightning speed. If you don’t stop them, they’ll eventually claim every single leaf, which is game over for your ivy. To make matters worse, they aren’t picky—they’ll happily jump over to your healthy neighboring plants, too. Here is how you can save your ivy:
- Prune off any heavily infested stems.
- Dispose of those clippings immediately (and securely!).
- Give the plant a “shower” to wash away a good portion of the mites.
- Afterward, wrap the foliage in a clear plastic bag.
- This creates a high-humidity microclimate that spider mites hate.
- Keep it covered for about a week, and the mites should die off.
Pro Tip:
If your ivy lives in a greenhouse, you can call in reinforcements! Predatory mites are a fantastic biological control. They’ll hunt down the spider mites and then simply disappear once their food source is gone.
Know the Causes to Prevent a Future Infestation
Spider mites and aphids usually target indoor ivy for one specific reason: dry air. During the winter, indoor heating creates a dry environment that is tough on moisture-loving plants but perfect for spider mites. Instead of fighting this battle every year, try these preventative steps:
- Move your ivy away from heaters or radiators.
- Mist the vines regularly with water.
- Use a humidifier nearby.
- Place trays filled with water and pebbles near the plant to boost local humidity.
One quick warning: don’t try to fix the problem by over-watering the soil. Ivy hates “wet feet,” and leaving water sitting in the pot will just cause the roots to rot. Keep the air humid, but the soil just right!
