For the most part, all Spider plant varieties or airplane plants are impervious to disease and pests. The main causes of problems are overwatering, poor drainage and excessive fertilizer treatment.
Here are some of the symptoms to watch for, along with some simple fixes.
Red Spider Mites
Look for dull, gray leaves with webby substance on the underside.
Treating with natural neem oil pesticide sprays should do the trick to eliminate them.
Neem Oil is our FAVORITE natural organic insecticide. Control aphids, mealybugs, plant scale, and more. It can also be used as a soil drench.
Brown Leaf Tips
This symptom can be caused by a lot of different things. Among them are:
- Too much direct sunlight
- Fluxes in temperature
- Chemical laden water – use distilled water over tap water
- Excessive draft
- Drought stress
- Spider Mites
- Aphids
No matter what caused the problem of brown tips on the leaves, moving your plant to a sheltered area with a consistent, desirable temperature and indirect lighting will probably help.
Water using filtered or distilled water only. If you see signs of pest infestation, treat with a natural pesticide.
More On: Brown Leaves On Spider Plants
Brown Rotten Vegetation
If the center of your plant is brown and rotten, it’s probably from over-watering.
Try allowing the plant dry out and see if it will make a comeback.
However, once rotting and root rot sets in you have probably lost the plant. Hopefully, it will have produced some offspring to take its place.
Hungry
Dull, floppy leaves may indicate your plant is ready for feeding with a balanced, liquid houseplant fertilizer.
Remember to mix it half strength and apply only a couple of times monthly.
Check out our Guide On Caring For Spider Plants
Soft, Transparent Leaves
If your plant has been exposed to very cold or freezing temperatures, the leaves may be damaged.
Move the plant to a warm, sheltered area and monitor it closely. If the roots were not damaged, the plant may rally.
Drought Damage
If your plant has dry, colorless, lanky, weak leaves it has probably been damaged by excessively hot, dry conditions.
Relocate the plant to a cooler, sheltered area and provide it with more water.
Bleached Leaves
If the area near the bend or flex of the leaf is faded or bleached, it is probably the result of excessive sun exposure.
Move the plant to a protected area with indirect light or provide shade.
Caterpillars
You are unlikely to have this problem indoors, but outdoors if you find holes in the leaves, you may be having trouble with caterpillar infestation. Caterpillars can usually be picked off successfully.
Neem oil and Spinosad are also options for control.
If re-infestation occurs, move the plant or protect it with netting.