Florli

Houseplant problems

Whiteflies on houseplants

Adult whiteflies resemble tiny white moths, while their immature stages stay attached beneath leaves. Disturbing the plant is therefore only the first part of an inspection.

Adult insects

Tiny white insects rise from the foliage when leaves are disturbed.

Immature stages

Flat pale forms remain attached to the underside of the leaf.

Feeding signs

Leaves may yellow and develop a sticky coating of honeydew.

More useful detail

How to narrow down the cause

Look underneath

More life stages are usually visible below the leaf than on its upper surface.

Map the spread

Checking several plants shows whether the infestation is local or has moved through a group.

Problem

What to do step by step

  1. 1

    Isolate the plant and wash the leaves, paying attention to their undersides.

  2. 2

    Remove heavily occupied leaves if doing so will not weaken the plant too much.

  3. 3

    Continue regular inspections and use only controls intended for indoor plants.

Observation

What to watch next

  • No new adults fly up when the plant is moved.
  • Fresh leaves stay green and free of stickiness.
  • Traps and leaf undersides remain clear across repeated checks.
Important

Sticky leaves can also come from scale, mealybugs or natural guttation. Find the cause before selecting a treatment.

Florli

Related guides and features

Library Houseplant problems Identify common houseplant symptoms, pests and watering problems. Start with observation instead of treating by guesswork. Read the guide → Problem Why are my plant's leaves sticky? Sticky leaves can come from pest honeydew, guttation or surface residue. Learn what to inspect before choosing a treatment. Read the guide → Feature Plant problem checker Florli helps you organize symptoms, consider possible causes and choose a cautious next step without presenting an uncertain result as a definite diagnosis. Read the guide →
Sources and further reading: University of Maryland Extension — Indoor Plant Insects

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Prepared by Florli. Reviewed October 15, 2026. This is general guidance. Sources are listed with each guide, and every decision should reflect the species, location, weather and the plant’s current condition. How Florli creates its guides.