Springtails
Also known as Collembola
In short
Springtails are tiny, wingless soil animals that flick themselves into the air when disturbed. They feed on fungi, algae, bacteria and decaying organic matter, not on healthy roots or leaves, and in a potted plant they are harmless. A big population is simply a sign that the mix is staying very wet.
How it looks
Usually less than 6 mm long; the ones seen in pots are often about 2 mm. White, grey, brownish or dark, with short antennae and no wings. Many have a forked, tail-like spring (the furcula) folded under the body, so they jump suddenly when touched or when the pot is watered. They gather on the surface of damp mix, on the saucer and around drainage holes, and often float on the water after a thorough watering. Young look like small adults.
Signs
No plant damage. You mainly notice many tiny, jumping specks on the soil surface or in the saucer, especially right after watering. Their numbers track moisture and decaying organic matter in the mix.
What favours it
Continually moist, organic- or peat-rich mixes and humid spots such as kitchens, bathrooms and damp windowsills. They are very sensitive to drying out, so they fade when the surface is allowed to dry.
Prevention
- Let the top of the mix dry out before watering again, as far as the plant allows.
- Empty saucers and cache pots after watering.
- Use a free-draining mix suited to the plant rather than a dense, constantly wet one.
- Remove rotting leaves and other debris from the pot surface.
Treatment
Start with the first step and move down only if the problem persists.
- Usually none needed: springtails do not damage plants.
- Reduce watering frequency and improve drainage; populations fall as the surface dries.
- Lower room humidity or improve air movement where they are a nuisance indoors.
- Insecticides are rarely justified; if used, choose a product labelled for houseplants and follow the product label.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Break down decaying organic matter and graze on moulds and fungi in the mix.
- Help fragment organic matter and shape soil microbial communities.
- Kept deliberately in terrariums and vivariums as part of a "clean-up crew".
- Harmless to people, pets and plants in pots.
Cons
- Large numbers can be an unwelcome sight indoors.
- A few outdoor species, such as the lucerne flea (Sminthurus viridis), damage field crops, but these are not houseplant problems.
- A heavy population points to a mix that is staying too wet, which can hurt the roots.
Look-alikes
- Fungus gnat larvae and adults
- Adult fungus gnats are small dark flies that fly rather than jump; larvae are legless, translucent worms with a black head, inside the mix.
- Soil mites
- Mites have eight legs, are rounder, crawl slowly and never jump.
- Booklice
- Booklice are pale, flattened and run quickly but do not spring into the air.
Where you find it
Found in the mix of almost any potted plant kept moist, and in terrariums, seed trays and compost.
Related
Sources
Written in our own words from these sources. Check a product label before using any treatment.