Scale Insects on Peace Lily — Identifying the Bumps and Treating Effectively
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Symptoms
- brown bumps on stems
- tan bumps on petioles
- sticky residue
- sooty mold
Causes
Introduction from other plants
Scale insects (primarily soft brown scale, Coccus hesperidum, on peace lily) arrive from infested new plants. They favor the peace lily's smooth, somewhat protected stem bases and the undersides of the long leaf petioles, where they settle, develop their protective covering, and begin feeding on plant sap.
How to Fix It
- 1
Inspect all stem bases and both sides of every leaf petiole under bright light. Scale on peace lily look like small, oval, flat or dome-shaped brown bumps firmly attached to the plant surface.
- 2
Scrape off all visible scale with a soft toothbrush or fingernail. Then wipe the stems and petioles with a cloth soaked in 70% rubbing alcohol.
- 3
Apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray to all surfaces. The oils suffocate scale by blocking their breathing pores. Repeat every ten days for six weeks.
Prevention
- Quarantine all new plants
- Wipe stems and petioles monthly — this removes crawlers before they can settle
- Inspect specifically at stem bases and petiole undersides during regular care
Quick Summary
| Plant | Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) |
|---|---|
| Category | Pests |
| Likely causes | Introduction from other plants |
| Fix steps | 3 steps — see above |