Question
Hello,
I bought a lovely anthurium about 1 month ago from a flower shop with very healthy looking plants. I have been keeping it in a sunny room that faces east but the plant is not in direct sunlight. I have been keeping the soil moist without overwatering it. About one week ago I noticed the leaves were starting to look disturbed and a flower fell off. Tonight I noticed worms in the soil. What is the best way to get rid of the worms? Is there any danger the worms will crawl out of the pot? Thank you!

Answer
Kirsten,

You can kill the worms by watering the plant with a bottle of rubbing alcohol. It will not hurt the roots of the plant and it will kill the worms. The worms are the larva of fungus gnats which are there because the roots are rotting and attracting the fungus gnats. They are rotting because they are too wet. Keeping the soil moist without overwatering it means it should be not dry but not wet either, just very slightly moist. Misting the surface of the soil every other day should be enough to keep it moist. You should not have to actually water it hardly ever. Good luck.

Darlene