When it comes to picking out houseplants for your home, it can be tricky to figure out which ones are the least likely to attract bugs and pests like ants, mites, and more. Here are a few fabulous houseplants that you can put anywhere in your home, that wont likely attract any unwanted guests.
Snake plants are usually tough cookies when it comes to pests, but yes – they can attract bugs under certain conditions. I’ve been growing snake plants for years and let me tell you about what really brings the bugs around and how to keep your plant pest-free.
Quick Answer
Snake plants don’t naturally attract bugs more than other houseplants. However, poor care conditions like overwatering and high humidity can make them vulnerable to common pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and fungus gnats.
Common Bugs That Attack Snake Plants
Here’s what you need to watch out for:
Spider Mites
- Look like tiny moving dots
- Create fine webbing between leaves
- Cause yellowing leaves
- Love dry conditions
Mealybugs
- Appear as white cottony clusters
- Hide in leaf joints
- Suck plant sap
- Leave sticky residue
Fungus Gnats
- Small flying insects near soil
- Larvae feed on roots
- Love wet soil conditions
- Often indicate overwatering
Other Common Pests
- Scale insects (brown bumps on leaves)
- Aphids (tiny green/black bugs)
- Thrips (cause leaf curling)
- Whiteflies (tiny white flying insects)
Why Do Bugs Attack Snake Plants?
Your snake plant might become a bug magnet due to:
-
Overwatering
- Creates damp conditions
- Perfect environment for fungus gnats
- Weakens plant defenses
-
Poor Air Circulation
- Stagnant air helps pests thrive
- Makes it easier for bugs to settle
-
High Humidity
- Softens normally tough leaves
- Creates favorable pest conditions
-
Stressed Plant
- Weak plants attract more pests
- Improper light or care makes plants vulnerable
How to Prevent Bug Infestations
I’ve learned these prevention tips the hard way:
Basic Care Tips
- Let soil dry between waterings
- Maintain good air flow
- Keep leaves clean and dust-free
- Provide bright indirect light
Regular Maintenance
- Inspect plants weekly
- Wipe leaves monthly
- Remove dead foliage
- Check soil moisture
Getting Rid of Existing Bugs
If you’ve already got unwanted visitors, here’s what works:
Natural Solutions
-
Neem Oil
- Mix with water
- Spray or wipe on leaves
- Use weekly for prevention
-
Insecticidal Soap
- Safe for plants
- Kills most common pests
- Easy to apply
-
DIY Remedies
- Garlic spray
- Herbal solutions
- Sticky traps for flying insects
Physical Removal
- Wipe bugs off with damp cloth
- Prune heavily infested areas
- Isolate affected plants
My Personal Bug Prevention Routine
Here’s what I do to keep my snake plants bug-free:
- Weekly check for signs of pests
- Monthly leaf cleaning
- Careful watering schedule
- Seasonal neem oil treatment
When to Worry About Bugs
Not every bug sighting means trouble. Here’s when to take action:
Minor Issues
- Few bugs visible
- No visible plant damage
- Normal growth continues
Serious Problems
- Large pest populations
- Visible leaf damage
- Plant growth affected
- Sticky residue present
Pro Tips for Long-term Prevention
These tricks have saved my plants many times:
- Keep new plants quarantined
- Use well-draining soil
- Clean pots before reuse
- Maintain proper spacing between plants
Final Thoughts
While snake plants can get bugs, they’re actually one of the more resistant houseplants out there. With proper care and attention, you can keep your snake plant healthy and pest-free. Remember – prevention is always easier than treatment!
Quick Checklist for Bug-Free Snake Plants:
- ✓ Water only when top soil is dry
- ✓ Maintain good air circulation
- ✓ Regular inspection routine
- ✓ Clean leaves monthly
- ✓ Act quickly if pests appear
Would you like me to explain any part of this article in more detail?
Jade Plant
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I grew up with jade plants all around my childhood home whether they were scattered around the sunroom, living room, or even the spare guest room. Jade plants are quite beloved by many and do well with sunlight. They also grow quickly, so you may have to repot a lot of them to new pots once they get going.
Luckily, jade plants also dont usually attract many bugs. And if it means anything to you, I personally never saw one single ant or mite on ours growing up either.
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Air Plants
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At The Spruce, we simply adore air plants. These fun and attractive plants can be hung almost anywhere throughout your house and look adorable in the kitchen too. They also can be placed on a counter or windowsill but hanging them is our favorite way to use them. Because these plants dont need soil to grow or prosper, the chance of having pests or bugs in them is almost zero.
Soil is one of the most common attractions to bugs. Pests like gnats or fruit flies thrive in soil, so with air plants, youre really not going to see much activity.
Do Snake Plants Attract Bugs? Best Ways to Prevent it #snakeplantcare
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of snake plants?
- It Grows Slow. …
- The Problem of Propagation. …
- It Is Toxic For Humans & Pets. …
- Leaves Falling Over. …
- Bringing Bad Luck. …
- Cold Temperature Requirements. …
- Regular Fungus Attack. …
- Prone to Pest Infestations.
How do I keep bugs out of my snake plant?
You’ll have to spray the neem oil on the plant more than once a week, also a spray with peppermint and rosemary oil works. I just was a war with these suckers and they will definitely kill your plants. Getting a zevo bug trap helps eliminate them too!
Does snake plant attract roaches?
Generally, snake plants do not attract insects. They are hardy and have thick, upright leaves that don’t usually appeal to common pests.Apr 16, 2025
Which indoor plants attract bugs?
Indoor plants that thrive in high humidity or like a lot of water, such as ferns and calatheas, are prone to attracting bugs more than other plants. To prevent pests from damaging plants indoors, it’s especially important to learn how to identify them before you take action.
Do snake plants have bugs?
The common snake plant bugs are mealybug, thrips, aphids, and fungus gnats. You may also find flying bugs like whitefly. High humidity, poor ventilation, and improper watering create a favorable environment for bugs. To get rid of bugs in the snake plant you need to identify them and eliminate them with appropriate treatment.
Why do snake plants get gnats & white flies?
Let’s find out. Scales, gnats, spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies are common pests attracted to the snake plant. Overwatering, high humidity, and poor air circulation are the root causes of pest infestation in the snake plant. Avoid overwatering, regularly lookout for pests, and use organic neem-based pest repellent to keep them at bay.
How to get rid of snake plant pests?
You can spray the solution on your entire plant to eliminate the pests. However, it is better to do a patch test first by spraying it on one leaf and ensuring it will not damage your plant. One of the easiest ways to get rid of pests is by hosing down your snake plant with some water.
How to care for a snake plant?
Since pests and bugs prefer humid and moist conditions, you should avoid overwatering your plant and ensure that the soil does not remain damp for a very long period of time. Also, avoid misting your snake plant, as you should maintain a humidity level of about 40% to keep the pests away. One can also use a miticide spray every once in a while.
Do snake plants deter mosquitoes?
Sansevieria plants deter mosquitoes but do not repel bugs and pests. So, having a snake plant can help you stay itch-free if you live in a mosquito-prone area. However, one can ensure their snake plant grows without infection with proper care and attention. Here is a blog to help you know what a snake plant needs to thrive.
Can snake plant bugs be cured?
The good news is that this is one of the most robust of house plants, and both prevention and cure are very easy to achieve. The common snake plant bugs are mealybug, thrips, aphids, and fungus gnats. You may also find flying bugs like whitefly. High humidity, poor ventilation, and improper watering create a favorable environment for bugs.