Depending on how severe the attack is (and what’s plaguing the plant), I simply rinse the insects off (for a larger plant, wiping the leaves down can serve the same purpose) or sometimes I use insecticidal soap.
But I have lots of house plants in very close proximity to one another so if I have something that’s badly infested, I may just compost it for the health of the rest of the plants. It’s not worth the risk that 15 plants are going to get infected by one sometimes. Many of these indoor insect populations can reproduce very quickly—aphids are born pregnant with the next generation, for example. That’s something that gets out of hand very quickly if you’re not careful!
Again, it’s still too early to talk about true spring in the garden—that’s the topic of my next article. So, until then, enjoy any early bulbs or flowers you have, and happy gardening!
Karla Dalley Garden Specialist
