Money plants are perhaps one of the most favourite indoor plants because they symbolise luck and positivity, and require very little care. Nevertheless, there is a popular myth that a money plant keeps attracting insects at home. Such a notion may have confused some people and discouraged them from cultivating such a lovely plant. But is it really the case? In fact, this myth is much more complicated. It should be clarified that it is not the plant itself that attracts bugs; on the contrary, it is the environment where the plant lives that does so.
Money plant and insects: What is the real connection
The obvious explanation would be that the money plant does not attract insects by nature. Like all other houseplants, they will get attacked only when certain factors create conditions favourable for pests.Money plants do not inherently attract insects any more than any other common houseplants. Thus, the money plant itself is not the issue; it is its surrounding environment.As explained on the Balcony Garden Web, insects like moisture, food sources, and a place for shelter. Money plants, along with many other indoor plants, can serve as such when not taken care of properly.Thus, when one finds pests around a money plant, it is not because the plant attracts them; rather, the reason lies somewhere else.
Why do pests appear on money plants
According to Colorado State University, there are numerous factors that may contribute to insect infestations on your money plant. One of the main factors is over-watering. An abundance of water leads to increased humidity in the soil and, hence, a favourable environment for the growth of pests like fungus gnats.Another key contributing factor is a lack of proper air flow. Lack of air movement results in fast-growing pests like spider mites and mealybugs.Other factors that could lead to insect infestation include dusty leaves as well as poor condition of the plant due to stress.Some insects might be drawn towards the sap contained in the plant.Common insects found in a money plant include:
- Aphids
- Spider mites
- Mealybugs
- Fungus gnats
Note that these pests are common in any other indoor plant and are not limited to the money plant alone.
How to keep your Money Plant pest-free
Fortunately, the prevention of such pests is not difficult at all, and all you need to do is to apply some of the basic care principles. First, do not overwater the plant and allow the soil on its surface to dry before watering again. Secondly, make sure that the plant gets enough fresh air and light. It is also necessary to clean the leaves of the plant from dust to deprive pests of places where they could hide.Finally, when getting a new plant, be very cautious, as pests may spread from one plant to another quite easily. Perhaps the most crucial aspect here is that healthy plants have much higher immunity than those that are poorly maintained. Proper care is the key factor.To sum up, the notion that money plants draw pests is nothing but a myth. The matter is not in what the plant is but rather in how it is grown. Provided that proper care and some attention are applied, the plant will remain beautiful and pest-free.
