--- title: "Hi guys I’m very new to looking after house plants I’ve got angel…" description: "Hi guys I’m very new to looking after house plants I’ve got angel wings but they don’t want to cooperate at all. There are pests and the stems rot and fall…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/Nael7pybQOqFeBIYZPKbPA?language=it" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "Sam" published: "2024-11-13T06:36:09.418831Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/kkQ7JXc6GEtxMiWmr1caL_TdWffV_IzTlCbKo78X1N8/VUu3kBiPTWSI97uQAB_iuQ.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=it) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md?language=it) # Hi guys I’m very new to looking after house plants I’ve got angel… _Pubblicato da Sam il 2024-11-13_ Hi guys I’m very new to looking after house plants I’ve got angel wings but they don’t want to cooperate at all. There are pests and the stems rot and fall apart not the roots. Some stems don’t seem affected. ![Allegato 1 di 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/kkQ7JXc6GEtxMiWmr1caL_TdWffV_IzTlCbKo78X1N8/VUu3kBiPTWSI97uQAB_iuQ.webp?size=large) ## 10 commenti ### Wolfen 🐺 ha commentato il 2024-11-13 What kind of pests? #### Sam ha risposto il 2024-11-13 I think they are fruit flies so I’m assuming I’m definitely overwatering and need to change soil? #### Wolfen 🐺 ha risposto il 2024-11-13 Adult fruit flies don't harm plants. Their larva in the soil can though, especially young plants. But like someone else said, it's probably your soil. I'd repot with a chunkier mix. You can buy orchid park and perlite and just add them in to a regular potting soil. As far as pestsyou have to use something to kill the larvae and the adults. Beneficial predatory nematodes and/or mites are great. Or you can use a systemic like the Bonide granules, or sns 209 that's a liquid. If it's just ggnats you can use mosquito dunks, you soak thwart water, let the water cool to room temp. And then water your plants with it every few days. The BTI kill the larvae and eventually they should go away. You can use sticky traps for the adults. When you think they're gone, KEEP watering with it 😆 they are sneaky, so keep it up for a few weeks after you don't see any flies ### 9s ha commentato il 2024-11-13 I would assume it’s thrips or mites since those love to eat caladiums. You can use neem oil but it’s best to use something that can be used systemically #### Sam ha risposto il 2024-11-13 I’ve never tried neem oil is it suitable for all house plants ? #### Mermaid ha risposto il 2025-08-04 No it is not. It’s an old remedy. So many better things out there now than neem oil. It will kill your succulents. #### 9s ha risposto il 2025-08-04 To clarify, neem will kill your succulents because it removes the white film on the succulent. The white film is their natural sunscreen. All oils will do this to succulents. And while neem may not be the most effective, it’s generally widely accessible in comparison to other chemicals that usually do more harm than good (causing resistance from improper usage etc.) If the potency is the concern, get some cold pressed neem mixed with water and some soap. It smells strangely like peanut butter to me but it works great for maintenance and prevention. ### Ji11 ha commentato il 2024-11-13 Better draining soil and a smaller pot will help. The soil looks too densely packed and moist. Add a chunky mixture like this (I just add a few hand fulls) They like moist soil but if it’s not airy enough there’s no where for the roots to go and no oxygen getting to them. ![Allegato 1 di 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fBH_28A5qaP2hoVvraoji7PuhH2kRqkI0DYvYyUVg94/sMNPc4m6RBCHnBubhVdFHQ.webp?size=large) #### Sam ha risposto il 2024-11-13 Thank u so much I had no idea about the mixture being so chunky I just made sure the drainage was good underneath. ### Mrs. Tebo ha commentato il 2025-09-11 I’m having a similar issue. I bought in June as a giant plant and it’s slowly getting thinner and thinner. I have new growth but as the leaves are maturing they just brown and stem follows suit. I have it in chunky airy mix and gets morning sun. No pests that I can see --- _Fonte: la community di Planta (https://getplanta.com). La lettura è aperta a tutti. Per pubblicare, commentare e mettere 'Mi piace', scarica l'app Planta: https://getplanta.com/download_