Aphids on my hibiscus plants - Ask Extension
Hello! I am having a terrible time with aphids on my 2 hibiscus plants. I've had the plants for years and if I had a problem, it was easily solved (wa...
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Aphids on my hibiscus plants #867277
Asked May 06, 2024, 3:42 PM EDT
Hello! I am having a terrible time with aphids on my 2 hibiscus plants. I've had the plants for years and if I had a problem, it was easily solved (water/vinegar spray). Not so this time. This is what I have done: 1. wiped off the underside of the leaves with paper towel/water. 2. sprayed underside of leaves with water sprayer several times in the shower. 3. misted the underside of leaves with a white vinegar/water solution (3 water to 1 vinegar). Sprayed the underside with "Protect with Neem Oil" spray from "We the Wild". The problem only gets worse. My floor is sticky and aphids are flying around whenever I move the plants or bump in to them. I bought: AzaSol- a non-oil water soluble powder. Disolves in water. Says it's good for pest control for aphids (and others). I haven't used it yet because I wanted to reach out to ask for your advice first. It may be my apartment was too dry this winter? I don't know what encourages aphids to multiple SO rapidly. Whatever, I would love your help. I just put the 2 hibiscus plants out on my balcony, hoping the wind out there would help blow some of the aphids away....
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Good Afternoon Marge,
Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service.
Please click on this link from the U of M Extension Yard and Garden website about hibiscus:
https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/hibiscus#common-problems-1440067
This information also has a link to aphids: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/aphids
Hopefully these will help. If you move them outdoors in the warm weather, the predators will eat the aphids on your plants!
Good Luck!