Simple steps to protect houseplants from hidden infestations

If you grow houseplants, you probably know that sinking feeling you get when you notice the almost imperceptible movement of a dot, fine webbing between a leaf and its stem, or a leaf that just looks off.

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You thought (hoped!) the moment would never come, but the pests have moved in, and here we are.

Check plant before buying it

The old adage about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure also applies to houseplant infestations, and this all could have been avoided if you had taken precautions, starting at the nursery.

Before bringing home a plant, inspect it closely. Look at the soil, stem, leaves and, importantly, under the leaves, where some pests like to make their homes. Use your phone's camera to zoom in on questionable specks. If all looks good, go ahead and buy the plant, but repot it once it crosses your threshold.

When you bring the plant home