I think of this topic as more typical to outdoor plants (trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials) than houseplants.

I had planned on researching how to eradicate spider mites and this is helpful. I now know that palms are more susceptible to spider mites and had I known that would probably have not decided to get one.

I know that any plant can get spider mites but is sounds as if they are more of a problem with palms and English Ivy. The palm was right next to pothos and philodendron and neither of them seem to be infested (but I may not have found them yet). Are pothos and philos as likely to get spider mites? I wonder about other pests? I have never had a plant with aphids or mealy bugs as far as I know. Are there certain house plants that are more prone to them?

rhizo, I know that outdoor plants get pests and some people that put their plants outside for the summer can bring in pests but many houseplants never see the outdoors except to be brought in from the car and they still get pests. I was hoping that some people that have been keeping house plants for a long time and with lots of experience could, for instance, say that this plant seems to get mealy bugs often or that plant is a spider mite magnet or the other plants seem to attract aphids, etc. I think it would be helpful for someone like me that is newer to houseplants to really look at plant X before I buy it if I had read here that in some folks experience it is prone to have Y pests.

I hope I am making sense.

My experience is limited to ficus benjamina, dracaena, and schefflera, but I'm sure other people who've dealt with lots of species will have some good suggestions for you.

I have come to play it safe. When I research a plant, I want to read it is seldom bothered by pests, period. If a pest is specifically mentioned, and I have no positive experience growing it, I take that as a huge red flag it could be a bug magnet. I am overly cautious and paranoid regarding bugs.

Laurie, that is kind of what I am trying to do in this thread. I should have researched palms prior and would likely not have purchased one. I searched on here and have not found a thread that discusses (in people's experience) which plants are prone to which pests. Thanks!

I have great success with Google searches; in your case I'd Google 'plants that don't get pests" or something like that to find some ideas--because you're certainly not three first person who wants to avoid pest-ridden plants!

You are right, of course, massey!

From my own 20+ years experiences

Radermachera Sinica (Rader-Ma-kera) Aphids, mealybugs, scale, phythophora (crown and stem/root) rot Croton -Spider mites, mealybugs Ficus- mealybugs

mat68046 - that is exactly what I was hoping for! I think Crotons are beautiful and have thought about getting one. Now I know if I do what to be watchful of. I know with all the combined years of experienced growers on this forum there are things they know that a book does not. Thanks!

Plant X is prone to pest Y when pest Y is in the area of plant X. Logically pest Y would also be enjoying the environmental areas of plant X Pest Y would also be able to establish it's home to render plant X either less productive growing to an individuals intentions or plant X may also building a defense to combat pest Y.

I tend to agree with nomen...if there is any pest on 1 plant, there is a very good chance that other in proximity may be looking delicious to it :)

I do not grow crotons, but if those different 'bugs' prefer it as is matt's experience, that would take care of most plants...