---
title: "Hey guys, I need help. Got this prayer plant about a year ago and…"
description: "Hey guys, I need help. Got this prayer plant about a year ago and it’s been growing a lot since then. But couple months ago I started to notice some tiny bugs…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/6582771dcbf8f30ca7ecb37b"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "MF"
published: "2023-12-20T05:09:49.458Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/B0gC-qQybuWFbuTIWYhGQe2HoLJZyydewYnA-JlCRDg/34d059cd5714416c856870d948384a35.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hey guys, I need help. Got this prayer plant about a year ago and…

_Posted by MF on 2023-12-20_

Hey guys, I need help. Got this prayer plant about a year ago and it’s been growing a lot since then. But couple months ago I started to notice some tiny bugs crawling in the soil and have tried some insecticide. They kept coming back, especially after watering. Some leaves have brown tips since I got it back, and now some leaves have brown dots on it. What should I do? Any suggestions?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/B0gC-qQybuWFbuTIWYhGQe2HoLJZyydewYnA-JlCRDg/34d059cd5714416c856870d948384a35.webp?size=large)

## 11 comments

### Iwetmyplants🌱 commented on 2023-12-20

It’s is hard to say what is living in the soil. The damage to the leaves does not look to be caused by any pest, it looks more to be a humidity thing. Can you get photos of the pest in the soil?

#### MF replied on 2023-12-28

I have posted a photo and here are some more:

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/B0gC-qQybuWFbuTIWYhGQe2HoLJZyydewYnA-JlCRDg/f0742114d54545f0929ebe2c8cc1d351.webp?size=large)

### Sarah commented on 2023-12-20

You have to identify the bugs first. There are some soil-crawling bugs that are actually beneficial and you don’t want to kill. The bad bugs vary in how to best treat them, and maranta are very sensitive so you don’t want to use the wrong treatment.

Also though, some brown tips are normal, especially during winter when the air gets dry.

#### Sarah replied on 2023-12-23

Yup my first thought was springtails. Very noticeable in the soil and freak people out, but great to have them!

#### MF replied on 2023-12-28

Thank you! I actually have not seen these bugs going on to the leaves ever. Also they have been there for a while and my plant is still growing and flowering. Just brown tips and sometimes leaves at the bottom become brown and die out. So I’m really confused here.

### Froggies commented on 2023-12-20

Neem oil works pretty well

### Mom commented on 2023-12-22

It’s such a beautiful plant!! My favorite kind! How did you even keep it alive long enough to get so big!?!

#### MF replied on 2023-12-28

Thank you! I love the leaves! When I bought it it’s already a 4” plant and I repotted it once. I just follow the guidance from this app and it’s been growing fine since. Except the prob I’m seeking help here.

### MF commented on 2023-12-28

Hey guys, i haven’t been able to check back and thank you all so much for the help! Here are some photos of the bugs (I did my best they are very tiny)

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/B0gC-qQybuWFbuTIWYhGQe2HoLJZyydewYnA-JlCRDg/e9a36b29e12c4495a9d51c52276833d5.webp?size=large)

#### Sarah replied on 2023-12-28

It may be easier for you to Google springtails to compare than it is for us to discern your pictures. When I’ve had springtails, they glisten and look like little glittery flashes of moving light, especially right after watering the plant. I left them alone once I knew they were good, and they eventually died on their own anyway.

#### MF replied on 2023-12-28

The ones in mine do the same thing. Every time I water they all come out. Think I can try to water less. Thank you!

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