At first glance, your plant might look fine — but upon closer inspection, you notice strange silvery streaks, tiny dark spots, and faded leaves. That’s when you realize something quiet but destructive has been at work: thrips.
These tiny, fast-moving insects are nearly invisible to the naked eye, yet they can cause big problems for houseplants by sucking the life right out of their leaves. The good news? Once you learn how to spot them early, you can stop them in their tracks.
What to Look For
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Silvery or bronze streaks on leaves that once looked lush
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Tiny black dots (thrip droppings) scattered across the leaves
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Distorted or curled new growth
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Tiny sliver-like insects that run or jump when disturbed (often found under leaves)
Thrips are so small that you may not notice them until your plant’s leaves begin showing these telltale scars.
Why It Happens
Thrips thrive in dry air and still spaces where there’s little airflow — making indoor environments ideal for them, especially during warm seasons.
Common causes include:
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Bringing in new plants without isolating them first
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Lack of air circulation around dense foliage
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Dry, dusty leaves
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Overly warm, stagnant air
Thrips are also attracted to bright light, so plants near windows or grow lights can be more prone to infestation.
How to Get Rid of Them Naturally
1. Rinse and Wipe
Start by rinsing your plant’s leaves gently with lukewarm water to remove as many thrips as possible. Wipe leaves with a soft, damp cloth — especially underneath.
2. Neem Oil or Soap Spray
Mix a spray of:
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1 teaspoon mild dish soap
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2 teaspoons neem oil
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1 quart warm water
Spray all surfaces of the plant, paying close attention to the undersides of leaves and stems. Repeat weekly until thrips are gone.
3. Sticky Traps
Place blue sticky traps near the affected plants. Thrips are attracted to blue and will get caught, helping you monitor and control the infestation.
4. Prune Damaged Leaves
Remove heavily scarred or infested leaves to stop the spread and encourage new, healthy growth.
5. Boost Plant Health
Healthy plants can recover quickly once thrips are removed. Regular dusting, proper watering, and balanced fertilizing help prevent reinfestation.
Melanated Eden Wisdom
“Not every scar is a sign of weakness — some are proof of survival.
Thrips may mark your leaves, but they cannot take your growth.
With patience and consistency, healing always follows.”