My monstera’s leaves have been turning brown from within, even the new bright green one pictured here. Upon closer examination I found these tiny bugs, so small they were formerly perceived by my eyes as dust. What are they, and what can I do? Thanks, community!
by Glass-Experience-887
19 Comments
Thrips, there’s a lot of information on this sub about combatting thrips.
I think that’s thrips! 🫣🫣🫣 never had them but I would search for “thrips”across all subreddits. It’s been talked about sufficiently before.
I call them spawns of Satan, but you can call them thrips
Oh you need to treat that immediately! They will spread to other plants! Take it away from any other plants NOW!
Look up on YouTube how to treat thrips infestation on monstera to see it in action. First, isolate it far away because these bugs fly. You can get natural remedies (which is going to take a while for actual results but should help) or you can say F it and use insecticides which will kill them all immediately.
These take time to deal with because of their life and reproductive cycles. YouTube will help show you options. You can also take these photos to your local plant shop and ask for their advice! This is always a good option (don’t bring the plant into the shop with these bugs – they will be mad)
Isolate this plant.
Contact wipe each leaf and stem (petiole) and then forget the neem oil and whatever else. This really is a job for Systemic Pesticide.
Wipes I used were Dettol antibacterial surface wipes (that’s all I had). Systemic Pesticide i used was Provanto Smart Bug Killer, weekly for i think 3 weeks. Get a proper face mask too, just to be safe.
I saw them too late and they almost destroyed my parlour palm (migrated via Monstera). The sooner you act, the better. They’re horrible things.
My monstera is fine now.
If you own other plants you may want to seriously consider throwing this out as this is a pretty serious infestation. It’s one thing if you find one here and there and can nip it in the bud. If you keep it I’d cut all of the leaves off, change potting medium, and treat with your preferred pesticide or beneficial insect.
https://preview.redd.it/4xkhoxus2pwf1.jpeg?width=1172&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2087b3c3c9b49dbbe3de18096061ccf2cf66ab54
Spider mites they suck that chlorophyll via sap hence the discoloration. They are THE DEVIL!!!
I had this too back in August. They prefer new growth. New leaves would turn brown quickly. I cut of all but two old leaves that were not infested. The leaves are growing back fairly quickly (unfortunately without much fenestration because there’s less light in Autumn).
They’re thrips they’ve ruined my life this whole summer. I haven’t had the time nor energy to fully combat them so I’ve had to throw out many plants now 😞. Separate this plant. Actually hose it down outside or in your shower
And then EVERY. SINGLE. LEAF. with damage, yes in sorry that includes your brand new one… CHOP and toss in a bag you plan to take outside asap.
If this wasn’t a full blown infestation you could attempt to save a leaf or two but this plant needs to be bald for a hot minute. The thrips lay their eggs inside of the leaves. They will be all throughout the soil as well. You gotta take it out and wash off all the soil with dawn soap and water. Then spray it with water isospropyl alcohol and a splash of soap in a spray bottle.
Rinse with water. Then plant it in fresh very chunky soil. Monitor closely for any signs of thrips, spray with the solution a couple times a day every day. Then with luck you’ll see new normal growth. I’m sorry OP but this plant is wayyy too far gone to not do a massive chop and swap.
I get goosebumps when I see these pics and fear my plants will act out in response!
Best wishes to you, OP. My thought is unless there’s sentimental value with the specific plant, or it’s rare, I’m not risking my collection 🥺🖤 wishing you luck with your thripes!
I once had them too. They are nasty, but I managed to get rid of them. Remove all heavily infected leaves. Remove new leaves as the like the inside. They like dry air so don’t keep the plant in a dry spot. Put it in your shower and shower it off, every leave from both sides, remove all of the insects. After that, always keep the plant wet. Water it regularly, as it stresses the plant if it doesn’t get enough water.
You mught be able to save the plant. If not, get rid of it.
Keep the plant away from other plants so the infection can’t spread.
https://preview.redd.it/jgul288qmpwf1.jpeg?width=320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c84c8108a5b2e24ec017b3e885b1d19e54a46d5
Thrips, I feel itchy now and want a shower.
Hey, I just wanted to say, having gone through this I am so sorry! You are not a bad plant parent, thrips are just one of those things you only learn to look out for in a plant once you get them once. My bedroom monstera was hit really hard this spring and summer while I was away unfortunately, but where I live good insectisides are illegal so I had to be creative.
My plant is a bit wonky now but alive, what ended up being the solution for me was an absolute bombardment of neosylius/amblyseus cucumeris mites. I mean like so many bags. Thats like a week after rinsing and spraying with insectisidal soap every couple of days.
The leaves that are visibly turning yellow are dead. Cut your losses and prune them now. Any new leaves at best will be stunted. Any that are left you can save with great effort. Good luck and again so sorry!
Thrips!
Oh my, that’s a lotta thrips.
Spray Spinosad to kill them.
One of my friends gave me a monstera with dark colored damage like this. She mention she had a bug infestation but didn’t specify what it was. Ive had the plant for a while and repotted it, added systemic granules, washed it down with a hose and added neem/castile/water combo twice to the leaves. Theres been new growth since then, I dont see any bugs moving but the reddish damage is still on some of the leaves. Does this mean theyre gone? Or is there still an active infestation? 🥲
Good lord! Good luck dealing with that my friend. I had an infestation last year and it wasn’t fun. It took long to get rid of them. I recommend sulfur as a treatment along with the usual treatments like insecticidal soap and neem oil spray. You got this!