Monstera: Houseplant expert details how to remove pests

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Swiss cheese plants, also known as monsteras, are common houseplants found in homes across the UK. They’re a flowering plant that is native to tropical forests in southern Mexico. The plants are known for their large green leaves that look like they belong in tropical rainforests.

Large Swiss cheese plants can cost anywhere from £40-£90 depending on their size so it’s important to care for them and ensure they thrive in your home environment.

One of the ways to care for your Swiss cheese plant is by regularly checking it for pests.

If you find pests, you need to act quickly to stop them from spreading to other plants.

Eileen from The Home Depot has shared her tips for Swiss cheese plants, including how to oust pests.

In a 2020 YouTube video for The Home Depot, Eileen said Swiss cheese plants are susceptible to pests but there are ways to prevent them and increase their odds for survival.

She said: “This is especially important in winter during the heating period when pests are looking for moisture from leaves like the Swiss cheese plant which can become infested with spider mites and scale insects.

“Scale insects are small and brown.

“You might also notice white sticky spots on the leaves.

“The most effective method is to rid your plant of these pests using neem oil or special pest control sprays.

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“Spider mites form a web that spreads on the bottom of the leaves.

“Remove any of the leaves that are infested with sterile pruners.

“Wash the leaves with lukewarm water and finally you can use miticides which use natural ingredients to kill spider mites but leave the plant and other harmless insects unharmed.

“Inspecting your plants regularly when watering and monitoring in between will allow you to stop any infestation early on.

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“Quarantine any plants under treatment and monitor other nearby plants for infestation.”

Red spider mites can do a lot of damage to plants if left.

First signs of them include lightly coloured dots along the leaves, faded leaves and, as the population grows, yellow leaves.

Scale insects feed by sucking sap from trees and shrubs through their mouths.

This can cause yellowing or wilted leaves and an unhealthy looking plant.

Swiss cheese plants usually flower and produce fruit in the wild but this is unlikely to happen in your home.

Eileen added: “Your plant will probably not develop flowers in your home.

“Be sure to spend time each week tending to your Swiss cheese plant by watering and pruning as well as carefully inspecting for unwanted pests.”

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