We humans go to great lengths to keep our indoor plants healthy. And while some of us often jokingly think of greenery as our “plant babies,” plants and humans are very different organisms. While humans can benefit from using coconut oil as a moisturizer, plants do not reap the same benefits, despite what the internet’s collected wisdom may tell you. Please stop using coconut oil on your houseplants.
How to Use Coconut Oil to Get Rid of Pests
I’m not entirely sure where the coconut oil suggestion comes from, but there’s a myth online that you can rub coconut oil on your houseplants to repel pests. While scientific studies have shown that coconut oil repels some insects, it’s not a good idea to use it on your plants, for reasons I’ll get to in a moment.
Instead, you should use a different oil, such as diluted Neem oil (which you can buy on Amazon for under $10). Controlling indoor pests is an important aspect of plant parenting, as insects like thrips spread quickly and can be difficult to control once they’ve established themselves. You can use Neem oil proactively or reactively, but if you already have a pest problem, it’s important to take action immediately. Here’s what to do:
Isolate affected plants to reduce the chance of spreading the pests.
