--- title: "I saw another post similar to this with the same kind of plant and…" description: "I saw another post similar to this with the same kind of plant and now I’m paranoid. Do you think I have spider mites? New growths but the base seems so…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/CmOjmWyOHAhb903K5qMME4" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "Sarah VP" published: "2025-10-12T23:06:09.219871Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t8-mn-tcYpAaYWgot4Sr8mIVudNACbNUQI0CtypdIzc/ZPqOaMyrRaunGn4N8ywgoQ.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md) # I saw another post similar to this with the same kind of plant and… _Posted by Sarah VP on 2025-10-12_ I saw another post similar to this with the same kind of plant and now I’m paranoid. Do you think I have spider mites? New growths but the base seems so crunchy and there are lots of browning edges. I do use tap water so maybe that’s it? ![Attachment 1 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t8-mn-tcYpAaYWgot4Sr8mIVudNACbNUQI0CtypdIzc/ZPqOaMyrRaunGn4N8ywgoQ.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t8-mn-tcYpAaYWgot4Sr8mIVudNACbNUQI0CtypdIzc/JNHKl-FNSdKuzXFDbgzdFQ.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 3 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t8-mn-tcYpAaYWgot4Sr8mIVudNACbNUQI0CtypdIzc/F36aTAI2QFCoVruxb1cudg.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 4 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t8-mn-tcYpAaYWgot4Sr8mIVudNACbNUQI0CtypdIzc/Xv7OJ0GISQ6Anul9vXd-Rg.webp?size=large) ## 11 comments ### Tom commented on 2025-10-12 They don’t like tap water, distilled water is best, if you can’t get any then leave some tap water out for 2days to get ride of chlorine. Would need to see back of leaves for spider mites, you would normally see web around top of stem and start of leaf underneath, if you zoom in on you camera and check under the leaves, you can normally see them, lightest color with dark spot on each side. Is the soil staying fairly wet/moist if so be best to check roots #### Sarah VP replied on 2025-10-12 Yes, the soil does stay moist. I will check the roots. Thank you! ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t8-mn-tcYpAaYWgot4Sr8mIVudNACbNUQI0CtypdIzc/YXuioGU4QsWCIU6dNre5Mw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t8-mn-tcYpAaYWgot4Sr8mIVudNACbNUQI0CtypdIzc/maSPnqtPSTm3QTwheHs48Q.webp?size=large) #### Sarah VP replied on 2025-10-12 ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t8-mn-tcYpAaYWgot4Sr8mIVudNACbNUQI0CtypdIzc/eS_G-pnNQ3Ci5JnOhTrbaw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t8-mn-tcYpAaYWgot4Sr8mIVudNACbNUQI0CtypdIzc/TWS_sBimRd6LZd_7vZZm4g.webp?size=large) #### Tom replied on 2025-10-13 On The right hand picture, it looks like there are a few black grain pests, unless it’s soil, these could be thrips, also the pest bite marks. So need to rinse them off. Browning Also could be down to low humidity . ### Amie206 commented on 2025-10-12 The browning on tips is usually due to lack of humidity. These LOVE extra humidity. I also agree with Tom that switching to distilled water is best for these. All my Calatheas \& Marantas started doing significantly better when I did. Also, on the first picture on the left side of the leaf, zooming in, looks like some kind of pest. Not a spider mite (all of the advice above I co-sign) looks brown #### Sarah VP replied on 2025-10-12 I will move it to my bathroom then to help with humidity. Do you think a natural plant spray will get rid of the pests? Will work on getting distilled water. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t8-mn-tcYpAaYWgot4Sr8mIVudNACbNUQI0CtypdIzc/Z4J8BdGtTLGc3RXE0p0x6w.webp?size=large) #### Amie206 replied on 2025-10-13 Some people use natural products with success. I use SYSTEMICS and Super Soap at the first sign of ANYTHING that’s not supposed to be there ### Titania commented on 2025-10-12 Instead of distilled water, I add a plant water conditioner to the water, and that should help with some of the leaf tips turning brown #### Plant Father replied on 2025-10-13 this. i recommend filtering your tap water adding water conditioner if necessary. this depends on how chlorinated your tap water is, filtering may not even be necessary if you have good clear well water. distilled water is not at all an environmentally friendly choice, and using it for an extended period of time can deplete minerals in the soil that your plant needs. ### Plant Father commented on 2025-10-13 your plant looks fine! i’d say keep doing what you’re doing. to ease your anxiety, you can spray your plants with some soapy water. this will kill any potential pests, at least the most common kinds like spider mites. i put a few drops of castile soap in a 16oz spray bottle filled with water but you can use dawn dish soap or another gentle soap. #### Plant Father replied on 2025-10-13 i personally wouldn’t recommend using the pictured product on your plants. anything with mineral oil or glycerin can clog the pores of the leaf and inhibit the plants ability to “breathe” --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). 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