---
title: "Please help! I am very new to plants, this is my first one! So turns…"
description: "Please help! I am very new to plants, this is my first one! So turns out i didn’t know what i was getting myself into when I bought a £9 Calathea Zebrina from…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/fRC3HcniZLeDqtMQlnlMdt"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "char"
published: "2026-03-02T13:27:51.623711Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Fwr_LpsdqKvl3L_Dwxdt3bl7DRmibIMyDotVEQ6m1x8/_pFcKbJGS2mDK5OwzlYrXQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# Please help! I am very new to plants, this is my first one! So turns…

_Posted by char on 2026-03-02_

Please help!  
I am very new to plants, this is my first one! So turns out i didn’t know what i was getting myself into when I bought a £9 Calathea Zebrina from Ikea. I have a feeling that she may have spider mites, however i can’t actually see the mites, but i don’t really know much about plants to be able to give her the right treatment she deserves!

I got her yesterday, haven’t repotted her even though i want to put her in fresh soil, soil is moist so haven’t watered, i just really have no idea what is wrong with her!

![Attachment 1 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Fwr_LpsdqKvl3L_Dwxdt3bl7DRmibIMyDotVEQ6m1x8/_pFcKbJGS2mDK5OwzlYrXQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Fwr_LpsdqKvl3L_Dwxdt3bl7DRmibIMyDotVEQ6m1x8/6Y3qymraSXaGGsJFH3b_TQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Fwr_LpsdqKvl3L_Dwxdt3bl7DRmibIMyDotVEQ6m1x8/7K18uRkUSmaQA3kaxYbFCw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 4 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Fwr_LpsdqKvl3L_Dwxdt3bl7DRmibIMyDotVEQ6m1x8/gRtKqDf_TouhcDZJN5p6tg.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### Carla commented on 2026-03-02

I wouldn’t repot her, she’s been through enough moving to a new home. Spray her down really good with a pest spray, compared to others spider mites are manageable.

Also, they like humidity! Whether a pebble tray is the magic key to calatheas or it just happens to work for me, I highly recommend!

She’s beautiful and you’ll be a great plant parent! ❤️

#### char replied on 2026-03-02

Thank you I really appreciate it! Do you suggest i just get a regular pest spray or do you think neem oil is better? I will have a look for a pebble tray thank you!

#### Carla replied on 2026-03-02

To be honest I just use the miracle gro houseplant pest spray, but I suspect others in this group have even better recommendatoons!

### Nunyabzwx commented on 2026-03-02

Is there little webbing around your plant? If not, then why do you think you have spider mites? If you do have the webbing then yes neem oil with some dawn dish soap and water would be good or you can spray a 70% alcohol on the whole plant for a few weeks. Once or 2 times a week. Also a humidifier would be good. Also they like distilled water. I would get easier plants to start out with if you want a bunch of them.

#### char replied on 2026-03-02

in the last picture there is a small amount of webbing which makes me worry, i’m going to try get some neem oil because hopefully even if the mites aren’t there then it won’t do any harm, yes i’m looking at getting more plants but i don’t want to get more right now if this one isn’t doing well as i dont want anything to spread

### Nunyabzwx commented on 2026-03-02

Good idea!!

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