The common houseplant known as the snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is widely recognized for its hardiness and low-maintenance needs. The plant itself does not actively attract bugs, but like any indoor plant, it can host common houseplant pests. A healthy snake plant is naturally pest-resistant, and any infestation is typically a symptom of an underlying care issue, not the plant’s inherent appeal. This resilient succulent is built to withstand dry conditions, making it ideal for beginners.
Pests That Commonly Affect Snake Plants
The most frequent pests found on snake plants are sap-sucking insects that exploit the plant’s stored water and nutrients. Mealybugs present as small, white, cottony masses, typically found hidden in the crevices where the leaves meet or along the leaf margins. Their feeding causes the plant to weaken and results in the excretion of a sticky substance called honeydew.
Scale insects appear as small, immobile bumps—usually brown or tan—stuck to the leaves. These armored pests also feed on the plant’s sap and leave behind honeydew, which can lead to the growth of sooty mold. Fungus gnats are small, dark, flying insects that hover around the soil surface. Their larvae live in the potting mix and feed on organic matter or fine root hairs, which can cause distress to the plant.
Why Infestations Begin (It’s Not the Plant)
Infestations are primarily caused by environmental factors and improper care, which weaken the plant and create optimal breeding grounds for insects. The single greatest cause of pest and disease issues in snake plants is overwatering. As succulents, these plants are native to arid climates and store water in their thick leaves, requiring the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Excessive moisture in the potting mix is the direct cause of fungus gnat proliferation. The larvae of these pests require consistently damp soil to survive and develop, making an overwatered pot an ideal nursery. An overly wet environment also leads to root rot, which stresses the plant and makes it vulnerable to sap-sucking pests like mealybugs and scale. Another factor is bringing home a new, already infested plant, which then spreads pests to the rest of a collection.
Simple Prevention Through Proper Care
Preventing pest issues starts with giving the snake plant the environment it needs to thrive. The most effective preventative measure is a strict watering schedule where the soil is allowed to dry out completely before being watered again. This typically means watering every two to four weeks, depending on the season and environment. Using a well-draining soil mix designed for cacti and succulents and planting in a pot with drainage holes ensures that excess water can escape.
Providing bright, indirect light helps the plant maintain vigor. Routine inspection is a powerful preventative tool, involving a weekly check of the leaf joints and the undersides of leaves. Wiping the leaves periodically with a damp cloth removes dust and can dislodge nascent pest colonies before they become established.
Treating an Active Pest Problem
The first step when an infestation is discovered is to immediately isolate the affected snake plant from all other houseplants. For mealybugs and scale, a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol can be used to directly dab and dissolve the pests. The alcohol strips away their protective waxy coating, killing the insects on contact.
Following physical removal, an application of horticultural or neem oil can suffocate any remaining insects or their eggs. This oil should be applied across all leaf surfaces. Managing fungus gnats requires allowing the potting mix to dry out thoroughly first. Sticky traps placed near the soil surface will capture the adult flying gnats, helping to break their reproductive cycle. For severe infestations, repeating the oil treatment every few days for several weeks is necessary to eliminate newly hatched pests.