It doesn’t matter what you call them: aphids, greenflies, or blackflies. Just be aware that they can seriously damage your jade plant. They damage your plant by feeding on sap. In addition, they stunt your plant’s growth and spread viruses and fungi. Thankfully, it is easy to deal with aphids.
How do I deal? I’m sure that’s your next question! All you need is a spray bottle and some water, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap. Next, spray this on your plant. Simple as that!
For better results, you can also add soap to the mixture. However, never use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Beware! aphid population multiplies exponentially. It doesn’t take many of them to turn your growing plant into an infestation. So, if you see them, you need to take action right away.
Let’s talk about how to take action to save your jade plant. Here’s how to keep aphids from damaging your plants.
Table of Contents
Reasons for Aphid Attack on Jade Plants
Before we figure out what you can do to fix the problem, let’s understand why aphids attack jade plants.
Aphids are sapsuckers that feed on tender new growth. Overwatering or overfertilizing a Jade plant will initially cause a growth spurt that attracts aphids.
In late spring and early summer, Jade plants are more susceptible to aphids as they blossom. Thus, cut off the flowering shoots close to the base of your Jade plant to reduce aphid attack risk.
Also, it is more likely that aphids will attack stressed plants. For this reason, it is vital to make sure your Jade plant is not overwatered or underwatered. Plants that are healthy are less likely to attract pests.
How to Save your Jade Plant from Aphid Infestation?
Let’s now discuss how to save your jade plant, based on the degree of infestation.
It may be better to throw away your Jade plant if it has developed a severe aphid infestation. However, you can take stem cuttings from unaffected parts to propagate a new jade plant.
If the infestation isn’t too bad, you can kill the aphids physically. All you need to do is rub your finger over them gently. It is quite easy to crush them since their bodies are quite delicate. Do this for a week until you don’t see this unwanted creature.
If killing aphids with your bare hands seems a bit daunting, mix 70% alcohol with water in a spray bottle. In case of severe infestations, add a squirt of dishwashing soap.
Spray this concoction all over your Jade plant. Alcohol kills aphids on contact, and soap helps them stick to leaves. Make sure you spray every 2nd or 3rd day for two weeks, or until you don’t see any more aphids.
How To Keep Aphids Away From Your Jade Plant
The best way to save your jade plant is to keep these pests away from it as much as possible. The following instructions will help you keep jade plants aphid-free.
If there are drops of water on the leaves of jade plants, the leaves will be damaged. So, make sure to only wet the soil around the plant’s base when watering. Also, to keep the leaves clean, wipe them monthly.
Aphids are drawn to moisture, so it is critical not to overwater. Water your Jade plant only when it needs it. Moreover, make sure that it receives enough light and warmth. It’s best if you grow jade plants in free-draining soil in pots with holes.
In addition, you should avoid letting your jade plant suffer from drought stress. The reason for this is that aphids are attracted more to plants that are struggling rather than healthy ones.
To control aphids, use beneficial insects. Additionally, aphids are a favorite bug of ladybugs. Thus, keeping your Jade plant around marigolds, dill, alyssum, and calendula will attract ladybugs.
Conclusion
The simplest way to get rid of aphids on Jade plants is to use rubbing alcohol.
Mix 70% alcohol with water and dishwashing detergent in a spray bottle. Twice a week, spray your plants until the aphid infestation is gone. Also, keep your Jade plants dry by wiping down their leaves regularly and not overwatering.
In spite of the fact that aphids can damage your jade plant, the good news is that they are easy to deal with. Using the methods explained in this article, you can save your jade plant.
If you find this useful, please pass it on to your jade-loving friends.
FAQs
Q1. How do I get rid of aphids on my jade plant?
Rubbing oil on leaves will kill aphids. In the case of active pest infestations, Neem oil-based products are recommended. The oil, which comes from tree bark, is useful for protecting plants against various insects. However, it can be damaging to the leaves if it is used too frequently.
Q2. Will aphids go away on their own?
Several natural enemies attack aphids, including other insects, insect larvae, and birds. Because they move slowly, they are easy to remove by hand or by spraying. In order to completely control aphids, it may be necessary to combine different methods and make repeated efforts.
Q3. What is the best aphid killer?
In most situations, insecticidal soaps and oils are the best insecticides to use. A variety of oils can be used, including horticultural oils derived from petroleum or plant-derived oils such as canola oil or neem oil. These products kill by smothering aphids, so covering the infested foliage thoroughly is necessary.
Q4. Why do aphids keep coming back?
Follow these steps to prevent aphids from returning
1. Keep an eye on your plants. If you have found aphids on any of your plants before, check them frequently during the growing season.
2. Make sure there are no ants.
3. Plant onions.
4. Avoid overfertilizing your plants.
5. Early detection of the problem is key.
Q5. Can aphids infest your house?
Often called plant lice, they are common pests of indoor plants. By wind, through open windows, or on infested plants, aphids can easily be brought indoors.
Q6. Do coffee grounds deter aphids?
Truth is coffee grounds don’t repel pests like aphids, snails, and slugs, even though they are often touted as a cure-all.
Q7. Do aphids live in the soil?
It is common for aphids to live on or under the leaves of plants, piercing them to extract sap. However, grey-white root aphids live in soil and attack plants, killing them suddenly
Q8. What causes aphids to appear?
In droughts, poor soil conditions, and overcrowded plants, aphids become more prevalent.
Q9. Do banana peels keep aphids away?
The use of banana peels in your garden can actually keep aphids at bay. It is often sufficient to deter aphids with the smell of banana peels. So, use banana peel strips to protect your plants’ bases from disease.
