Have you ever noticed holes in the leaves of your peace lily? These are called leaf miners, and they cause small holes in the leaves. Leaf miners are not a serious pest problem for your plants, but they do leave unsightly holes that can make it difficult to sell peace lilies at a garden center or online. If you notice these pests on your plant, here is what you need to know.
What Are Leaf Miners & Where Do They Come From?
Leaf miners are a type of insect larva that feeds on the leaves, stems, and roots of plants. You may notice them in your peace lilies by small holes along their edges. They usually start near where new growth is first emerging from the soil or just inside the leaf blade at one end (near its stem).
The tiny, white larvae tunnel into the leaf, leaving behind a trail of black droppings that are actually their own waste. This can be worse when it rains and washes off these droppings onto your soil or other plants.
Fertilizer Can Encourage Leaf Miners
Leaf miners typically feed on plant roots first before moving to the leaves, which means that they invade the plants most during periods of plant stress. Plant fertilizer may help encourage leaf miners by encouraging new growth on your peace lilies and making them more susceptible to invasion from these pests.
How To Treat My Peace Lily Plant For Leaf Miners?
The good news with leaf miners is that they are not a serious pest problem for your plants, so you don’t need to panic when you notice them on your plant. If you want to prevent the leaf miner eggs from hatching on your peace lily’s leaves, there are several steps you can take:
- First and foremost, inspect your peace lily for eggs before bringing it home. If you notice leaf miner eggs on the leaves of your plant, don’t buy it!
- Put down a row cover over any plants that are susceptible to leaf miners and keep them covered with this material until they flower. This will help prevent future infestations from leaf miners.
- If you need to spray your plant, use a product that is safe for your peace lilies and only as needed.
- To reduce the risk of leaf miner eggs hatching on leaves in future seasons, avoid planting near susceptible plants such as roses or tomato plants. This also goes for nearby areas with high levels of leaf mulch or other organic matter.
- Always keep your peace lily’s leaves clean and free of debris – this will help reduce the risk of leaf miners infesting them in future seasons.
- Use a product that is safe for your peace lilies and only as needed.
- To reduce the risk of leaf miner eggs hatching on leaves in future seasons, avoid planting near susceptible plants such as roses or tomato plants. This also goes for nearby areas with high levels of leaf mulch or other organic matter.
- Always keep your peace lily’s leaves clean and free of debris – this will help reduce the risk of leaf miners infesting them in future seasons.
- Check your plant’s leaves before bringing them home. If you notice leaf miner eggs on the leaves of your plant, don’t buy it!
- Apply a row cover to any new plants that are susceptible to leaf miners and keep them covered with this material until they flower. This will help prevent future infestations from leaf miners.
Conclusion
If you notice your peace lilies have holes in their leaves, they are likely being attacked by leaf miners. Leaf miners cause small holes and leave a trail of black droppings that can make it difficult to sell peace lily plants at garden centers or online. There is not much risk from these pests but if you want to prevent the leaf miner eggs from hatching on your peace lily’s leaves, now you know, there are several steps you can take.
