Question
Hi,  I purchased a gardenia braid a couple weeks ago.  I went to water it today and found it covered with spider webs and little specks of something crawling around.  Help

Answer
Michelle,

It has spider mites. If possible take it to a shower with a handheld shower head and spray it with a lot of water to literally wash them off. If that is not possible fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water. As soon as night temperatures are above 50 degrees set it outside in a place it will be shaded in the afternoon. Also do not keep it constantly wet. It needs to dry out between waterings or the roots will rot. When the plant is stressed it will attract spider mites. If it is not getting a lot of sun or is kept to wet that may be why you are getting the spider mites. Good luck!

Darlene