Just like any other plants, indoor plants are subject to many pests and diseases.  All of these pests and diseases cause a damaging or displeasing effect.  Usually they can slow down or stop the plant’s growth, stop flowering, or even physically damage or distort parts of the plant.  Pests are actually mainly insects that cause damage.  Diseases are the same as with humans:  fungal, bacterial or virus organisms.

There are also physiological disorders which is a whole other range of problems.  these are not diseases.  They are not caused by disease organisms.  These are just things that can happen to put a damper on your plants’ health.  There are also cultural disorders.  These are the problems you cause your own plants.  If you over water, under water, keep the air too cold, put the plant in a draught, leave them in the sun - all of these things will produce symptoms.

Health problems for your plants can become worse.  These plants are kept in artificial conditions.  A lot of indoor plants come from tropical countries.  The natural pest controls that are out there in the tropical forests might not be available indoors.  The growth that is produced in warm, indoor conditions with less than perfect light is often soft.  This is an ideal target for fungus.

Indoors, pest outbreaks increase very quickly because of warm, sheltered conditions.  These conditions provide the perfect environment for pests to thrive.  You need to check your plants regularly so that, at the first signs of trouble, you can take action to correct the issues.

Taking the following steps will insure your plants’ health:

First, you will want to keep your plants growing strongly by making sure your the conditions you keep them in are as close to their normal habitat as possible.  They can still be attacked by pests, but they will be healthier and more able to withstand an attack.

Try to keep the air recycled.  Make sure there is adequate ventilation but without draughts.  Humid air, especially if it’s cool, will cause fungal diseases to erupt.

Then you have to remember not to overfeed your plants.  Too much nitrogen causes the plant growth to be soft and sappy.  This is more vulnerable to both pests and diseases.

Any new plants you get should be isolated until you know if they are free from pests and diseases.

Be sure to check your plants regularly.  Make sure you look under the leaves where problems often start.