Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - July 22, 2009
From: Abilene, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Pests
Title: Why are there gnats in my houseplants?
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I have flying brown gnats in my house plants. Can you tell me why?ANSWER:
The focus of research and the extent of expertise of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are limited to North American native plant species. Since few if any native plants are grown indoors, your plants and your question are outside of our purview.
However, we may be able to point you in the right direction for getting a satisfactory answer to your question. Gnats around houseplants are usually one of a group of insects in the fly family called Fungus Gnats. Here is an excellent article from South Dakota State University discussing Fungus Gnats, their life history and control. The article was written for orchid growers, but the same principles apply to all houseplants.
More Non-Natives Questions
Could ammonia harm poisonous, non-native oleander in Bay Point CA
December 20, 2009 - Could ammonia harm my Oleander plant? I have been spraying ammonia under it to keep neighborhood cats from using the soil under the plant as a sand box. If so, do you have any suggestions as to what...
view the full question and answer
Dry, brown leaves on non-native weeping willow
August 03, 2008 - Hello! I live in Pennsylvania I have 5 weeping willows I planted 3 years ago. All seemed well until last week I noticed suddenly one looks like it might be dying!? All the leaves are dry & brown. T...
view the full question and answer
Milkweed and non-native goatweed in Austin
May 28, 2011 - Which parks or fields can we find many milkweed and goatweed in Austin, TX? I live in Austin, TX 78757.
view the full question and answer
Removal and disposal of very invasive non-native water hyacinth
September 07, 2007 - I was given some Eichhornia crassipes, don't know how to care for them. Do you put them in some potting soil then put the pot in water? When do they bloom? Can they stay in the water during winter in...
view the full question and answer
Will frozen non-native agapanthus come back from freeze in Austin?
February 06, 2011 - I don't know if its a native plant, but my agapanthus got frozen in our recent cold weather. Will they come back; should I trim off the tops?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |