Organic Control of Scale on Indoor Citrus Plants

Growing citrus plants indoors can be a rewarding experience. But scale insects can stress your plants and ruin your enjoyment. Fortunately, there are some organic control options.

Persistence is an essential part of managing scale on any indoor plant. You’ll need to make multiple treatments over time to manage this pest.

Carefully scrape the hard scales off the plant with an old toothbrush or your thumbnail. Then spray the plant with insecticidal soap.

Or use horticulture oils, like Summit Year-Round Spray Oil, considered organic and labeled for use on indoor plants and citrus. The fine oil suffocates the hard-shelled adults as well as immature scale insects.

Protect nearby furnishings when treating plants with any insecticide. And as always read and follow label directions even when using organic and natural products.

A bit more information: Two-spotted spider mites and aphids may also attack your citrus plants. Both the insecticidal soap and horticulture soils are labeled for controlling these pests as well. Start with a strong blast of water to dislodge many of the pests. Then follow up with the insecticide as needed.