--- title: "So I’ve had this calathea for a while now and it has been infested…" description: "So I’ve had this calathea for a while now and it has been infested with what I think is spider mites (if it’s not pls let me know) and I was just thinking…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/81BtyCOZVB2DYDg63FtNgI" community: "Anything about plants" author: "Mya’s Plant Journey" published: "2025-09-25T14:37:24.154367Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/WT1EkZ13pRkpsCcwV0GMXtIvE_2EAWIJvOln-7rLkmo/MlC1H2tcQyuQn5b5WIGyMg.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Anything about plants](https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg.md) # So I’ve had this calathea for a while now and it has been infested… _Posted by Mya’s Plant Journey on 2025-09-25_ So I’ve had this calathea for a while now and it has been infested with what I think is spider mites (if it’s not pls let me know) and I was just thinking would it be such a crime to just get rid of it? 😬 it pains me but I’ve done everything from taking it out completely and spraying it down with neem to the dawn dish and isopropyl method it just really wants to have bugs. ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/WT1EkZ13pRkpsCcwV0GMXtIvE_2EAWIJvOln-7rLkmo/MlC1H2tcQyuQn5b5WIGyMg.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/WT1EkZ13pRkpsCcwV0GMXtIvE_2EAWIJvOln-7rLkmo/Twf_SgYNTsWKTtCGmIoKgg.webp?size=large) ## 18 comments ### Liz commented on 2025-09-25 I’m of the mind that if the plant is not bringing you joy any longer for whatever reason, there’s nothing wrong with getting rid of it to save your sanity. This hobby is meant to be enjoyed and if the plant is taking that away… 🤷🏼‍♀️ #### Mya’s Plant Journey replied on 2025-09-25 I needed that little push 🌿🫶 thank you #### Liz replied on 2025-09-25 It’s hard! We put all this time and energy and love into caring for these plants so I totally get the hesitancy. But once the care of the plant turns into a chore (derogatory) instead of a chore (affectionate), it’s ok to let it go once you think you’ve reached that point. It sounds like you did what you could to recover the plant, but to my (second hand) knowledge, if it is spider mites, they’re a total pain in the tushy to get rid of. One of my friends has been battling them for a bit so I hear all about it. #### LittleMorningLatte replied on 2025-09-25 Unrelated but the dog in your PFP is so cuteeee!! #### Liz replied on 2025-09-25 Thank you! She’s such a sassy girl and my neediest plant and I adore her. #### Planty28 replied on 2025-09-25 I 100% agree! I just threw out the same plant yesterday - it’s been an ongoing battle with spider mites. It’ll do good and recover and then a few months later… spider mites again. Tired of treating and dealing with it even tho it was hard to throw out cause it’s soooo pretty! _1 more reply in the app_ ### Trickey9214 commented on 2025-09-25 I assume you may have taken action in the last hour, but if you still have them sitting around and find yourself eoth the extra energy, I highly recommend a mixture of 2 cups water, 6 drops or a teaspoon isopropyl alcohol, 2 tablespoons neem oil, and 1 tablespoon peppermint castile soap. All that in a spray bottle either is worth a shot, or if im too late should help clean up any stragglers trying to get into any other plants. #### Mya’s Plant Journey replied on 2025-09-25 Thank you I already gifted it to the hillside behind my house but I’ll definitely use that to spray my other plants 😁 ### Tina commented on 2025-09-25 For future reference: Dr dooms insecticidal super soap. I unpotted all my infested plants, tossed them in the shower and sprayed the hell out of them in every little crevice. Then basically drowned them in the soap. Let them sit for a minute and then sprayed the hell out of them again. Also sprayed the area (walls/table/shelf) that they were kept. Few days later I saw very minimal amount on one plant, just sprayed it with the soap again and haven’t had them since. I’ve tried neem with peppermint Castile soap and alcohol before but didn’t like that it left a coating I’d need to wipe off or risk the plant burning/suffocating. ### Titania commented on 2025-09-25 If you’d still like to try saving this one, I’ve had some luck and spraying mine with Arber’s insecticidal spray. That one doesn’t seem to smell too bad 😅 Then, leaving my plant outside (if possible). Natural predators will eat a lot of what the spray doesn’t kill. ### Phil commented on 2025-09-25 Easiest way to get rid of them is give the plant a shower every couple days for a while. I use a hand held shower and gentle spray. It’s worked for me a couple times. But just in case, keep it away from the other plants. I’ve just let mine sit in the shower on the bench. And it was in there during showers. ### Brooklyn2014! commented on 2025-09-26 Burn it #### Mya’s Plant Journey replied on 2025-09-26 Love this energy. I threw that thing over the hillside with a lot of force for all the pain and suffering it caused me :) #### Brooklyn2014! replied on 2025-09-26 Your awesome. #### Brooklyn2014! replied on 2025-09-26 Is there a way to like follow you? #### Mya’s Plant Journey replied on 2025-09-27 Lmao unfortunately I don’t think so ! ### Amber commented on 2025-09-28 Let me tell you! Dawn soap in water dunk got rid of spider mites for good on two of my plants. I just filled a bowl of water with Dawn and dunked her in there! Then I rinsed her and dried her off.. boom! Pests be gone! --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_