Before using any pesticide on a houseplant, carefully read the product’s label to make sure it is appropriate for both the pest and the plant.
When any houseplant is treated with a pesticide, be sure to keep the plant in a shady place, as pesticides and bright light often combine to cause injury to plant leaves. Use the following links as general guides; obscure houseplants are often not listed on pesticide labels. If you are unsure about a plant’s tolerance of any chemical, apply it to a test leaf and wait 3 days before treating the entire plant.
List of Common Houseplant Pesticides
- Imidacloprid – Do not use indoors or on edible plants.
- Insecticidal Soap – Do not use on Begonia, Crown of thorns, Ferns (not all are sensitive), Jade plant, and Palms.
- Neem – Plants often sensitive to neem include African violet, Begonia, Crown of thorns, Ferns (not all are sensitive), Geranium, Ivy, Jade plant and other succulents, Palms, and Schefflera.
- Carbaryl – Plants sensitive to carbaryl include Aluminum plant, Arrowhead plant, English Ivy, Ferns, Peperomia, and Schefflera.
- Orthene – Plants sensitive to orthene include African violet, Chrysanthemum, Ferns, Ficus, Geranium, Nerve Plant, Palms, Piggy-back plant, Poinsettia, Prayer plant, and Schefflera.
