Philodendrons are a beautiful houseplant that can be found in many homes. They have long, broad leaves that range in color from green to brownish-purple. But sometimes you may notice tiny holes or tears in these leaves – so causes these?

This blog post will help explain why your philodendron has holes in the leaves and what you can do to fix the problem. Let’s get into it…

Why Are There Holes in My Philodendron Leaves?

The most likely reason that you’re seeing holes in your philodendron’s leaves is the presence of a pest called liriomyza melanogaster. This is a leaf-tunneling fly that has been shown to attack plants and make them look horrible.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stop this destructive insect from making an even bigger mess out of your beloved philodendron.

Though tiny, these bugs do big damage! You may not notice the problem until you find holes in your plant leaves. This is because the insects are most active when you’re sleeping.

There’s also a chance that you’re having an issue with leaf spot disease. This is something to look into, especially if the leaves on your plant have brown spots and patches of yellowing (which can happen when this fungus attacks).

How To Prevent Holes in Philodendron Leaves?

You can protect your philodendron from leaf miners by spraying it with neem oil. The plant will be healthier and happier!

These pests are also known for jumping onto other household plants and causing even more damage, which is why it’s important to keep an eye on every plant in your home.

I recommend not only spraying your philodendron with neem oil (Amazon link to my favorite), but also every plant that is in a nearby location.

If leaf disease is the issue, then it should be treated as soon as you can. Start by removing the diseased leaves from your plant, disposing of them in a faraway location, and then giving the plant some neem oil for extra protection (it works as an effective fungicide.

How To Keep Philodendron Healthy?

Location: Find a spot with bright sun or partial shade. Keep it away from the hot porch, deck, and windows to prevent leaf scorching.

Temperature and humidity: Philodendrons prefer a temperature of 68-80 degrees F and humidity levels between 40%-60%.

Pruning: Once every one or two years in spring, remove old leaves at their base up to about one-third of the way up.

Soil: Philodendrons like a well-draining potting mix with plenty of nutrient-rich soil.

Watering: Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged.

Fertilizing: Feed with a weak, diluted solution of liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks during the spring and summer seasons.

Conclusion

If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your philodendron, there are a couple of things to consider. Pests could be playing havoc on it and leaf spot disease is really common as well.

The most likely culprit though? Leaf miners! These creatures will burrow into the leaves and cause major damage to your beautiful plants.

You can repel bugs from your houseplants by spraying them with Neem oil. The oils will suffocate the pests and keep future infestations at bay!