Succulents offer all sorts of beautiful garden opportunities, but they’re home to a plethora of bugs. There’s a lot you can do to keep these bugs away, but that doesn’t mean they won’t keep trying to come back. If you’ve ever seen a succulent in the wild, then there’s a high chance that you’ve noticed gnats, flies, and beetles.
Succulents attract spiders because they offer protection from predators, water for hydration purposes, and a place for them to create a nest. Many different species of spiders form webs around the base of succulents where they can’t be bothered. Use organic pesticides for treatment.
Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info about succulents and spiders:
- Numerous reasons that spiders are found in your plants
- Whether or not spiders are harmful to succulents
- Treatment methods for spider infestations
Why Are There Spiders in Your Succulents?
The best way to eliminate spiders from making a home out of your plants is to know why they’re there. Succulents can be a breeding ground for countless insects, but that’s only one reason that spiders infest plants. There are several causes, so let’s run through all of them to see what you’re dealing with.
Here’s a list of reasons that spiders are attracted to succulents:
- Spiders love the privacy offered by tall, thick succulents. They’re able to stay hidden from everything, which is pretty much what all spiders desire. Spider mites, a much smaller species that are significantly tinier than the average spider, specifically target plants to hide and feed.
- They offer protection from a variety of predators. Spiders aren’t the prey of many bugs and animals, but they’re not at the top of the food chain. Many birds love to chow down on spiders, which is why the spiders hide in succulents. They’re able to see everything going on without being targeted.
- Spiders drink the water found at the base of succulents. Succulents don’t drink too much water, so they’re often overhydrated. If you put too much water on your succulent, it’ll start to pool, allowing spiders to drink it. Fortunately, this common issue has obvious preventative suggestions (i.e., don’t overwater your plant).
- Succulents are textured, allowing spiders to make webs rather easily. Fat Plants San Diego mentions that many spiders find it easy to make their webs on the surface of succulents. Succulents are dense plants that offer a seemingly perfect environment for all sorts of bugs, including spiders.
- The tight spaces at the base of succulents is a perfect place for a spider nest. Whether they’re hiding from predators, bringing water to their young, or trapping nearby insects, there’s no denying that spiders can find everything they need for their nest in a succulent. It checks all of the boxes that they look for.
As you can see, there are many reasons that spiders love hanging out on succulents. They’re the perfect plant that offers ideal living situations, so why wouldn’t a spider want to call it home? If you’re worried about spiders harming you or your plants, you should read the next section.
Do Spiders Cause Harm to Succulents?
If you’ve seen a big spider’s nest on your succulent, you might start to get a bit worried. After all, they take some of the water from the plant. Are they harming your plant? Could they be a danger to the soil? All of your questions will be answered in the following subheadings.
Spider webs can dehydrate the soil
Spiders drink a lot of the water that’s intended for your plants. Let’s face it. Spiders don’t drink loads of water, but it’s enough to be a problem if there are many of them. When they build extensive webs, they hold the water and prevent it from getting to the soil and roots below. Both of these issues can dehydrate the soil.
Too many spiders lead to malnutrition for your succulents
If there’s a whole nest of spiders, they’ll drink the water, cause root rot, and lead to fungal growth. Your succulents are resilient, but they need proper nutrition levels to prevent these issues. Fortunately, you’ll learn plenty of preventative solutions and ways that you can bring nutrition back to the soil.
Spider mites eat chlorophyll
According to Terminix, spider mites love eating the chlorophyll found in green plants. All succulents have chlorophyll, which is how they have such vibrant colors. Without it, they would cease to exist. When spider mites eat the chlorophyll found in your succulents, it causes discoloration, malnutrition, and fragility.
Typically, spiders aren’t going to cause any harm to your plants. That being said, you can’t ignore the various possibilities explained above. If you want to know how to treat the situation and prevent the aforementioned damages, read on below.
How to Treat Spider-Infested Succulents
You’re aware of the potential damage caused by spiders and spider mites, but you might not be sure how you can deal with them. Unfortunately, far too many people don’t take action until it’s too late. As you’ll soon discover, early treatment is the best course of action. You won’t have to deal with nests if you eliminate the webs right when they show up.
Follow these steps to get rid of spiders from your succulents:
- Use organic pesticides to remove spiders from the soil. The Mite Massacre 8 oz. Spider Mite Killer is a fantastic solution if you want to keep your succulents safe while removing spider mites. Despite its name, this solution also works to repel a plethora of other bugs and pests.
- Dust your succulents regularly. You can use wet wipes to remove cobwebs and spider webs from the surface of your plants. Not only will it prevent them from spreading and reproducing, but it’ll also keep your plants looking vibrant and healthy. Even something as simple as a microfiber cloth will do the trick.
- Keep the soil sifted and aerated. Spiders and other insects get settled when the soil hasn’t moved. It’s the same reason they tend to make a nest in garages. When the soil isn’t moved, they feel comfortable. Sift the soil weekly to move it around and prevent spiders from getting too relaxed.
- Never allow spiders to make their webs on the succulents. If you get a glimpse of a web, it’s time to remove it. Don’t think that a small web can wait until tomorrow. If you wait for too long, you’ll start to notice massive nests and webs that consume the succulent.
Whether or not they’re causing problems for your succulent, spiders shouldn’t be welcome on your indoor plants. They start to build nests, which can be dangerous for pets and people. Use the tips found above to protect your succulents. Note: It’s expected that outdoor succulents will have to deal with spiders.
Conclusion
Succulents are no stranger to spiders, gnats, flies, and other pests. However, you don’t have to worry about your plants getting ruined if you take care of them. Remember to remove webs and spider mites as soon as you see them. Sometimes, the only option is to use an organic pesticide that won’t hurt your plants.
Here’s a rundown of what this post should’ve taught you:
- Spiders are attracted to succulents to hide, build nests, and drink the water.
- You can get rid of spiders by dusting, spraying, and aerating the soil.
- While they’re usually not too dangerous, spider mites can be horrible for the health of your plants.
- Sift the soil weekly to prevent spiders from getting too comfortable at the base of the succulent.