Tiny white insects jumping on the medium surface
Seen when watering wet organic media; plant healthy..
- Also called
- small white bugs in soil
- white jumping bugs
- springtails
- tiny white bugs in water tray
Likely causes, most likely first
Ranked for this sign on its own. Your stage, medium and readings change the order, so run the checker for your plant.
LikelySpringtails (harmless soil insects)
Fix: Nothing to fix: springtails eat decaying organic matter and fungi. Let the surface dry more between waterings if numbers bother you. Check the roots to rule out root aphids, which are pear-shaped, slow and sit on the roots.
Recovery: Plant healthy; roots clean.
How to confirm it
- Root-ball and drainage-hole insect check. Tip the plant out and inspect the outer roots, pot bottom and drainage holes with a 10x loupe. Root aphids are small, pear-shaped and wingless, often with white waxy flecks; check several plants, and the drain trays, since colonies hide at the pot edge.
Look for
Tiny white or grey wingless insects that spring away when disturbed, in the saucer or on the surface..
The full guide: What are the small white bugs in my soil?
Guidance, not a guarantee. The checker weighs common causes against what you tell it; confirm with the tests before you treat, change one thing at a time and watch the new growth.
