Question
Hi Darlene,

I have an indoor hibiscus plant that appeared to be doing very well until about 2 weeks ago.  Suddenly all it's leaves turned yellow and fell off.  I assumed it had something to do with it's most recent feeding however I have recently seen hundreds of tiny white bugs in the soil and around the roots. What are they, are they a problem, what do I do about them, and will they infect my other plants?  

Thanks!

Answer
Hannah,

They are the larval stage of either fungus gnats or springtails. Either way they are there because you are keeping your plant too wet. It needs to dry out well between waterings. Set it aside and water it with a bottle of rubbing alcohol. That will kill the larva in the soil. Then do not water it again until it is very dry and mfeels light weight if you pick it up or tip it.

They will not infect your other plants unless you are also overwatering them. Most plants need to get fairly dry before being watered. Too much water will rot the roots and causethem to be attacked by these insects.

Hibiscus will come back from loosing all it's leaves if the roots are not rotted too badly. To tell that you can gently unpot it and if you see some wiry roots it should come back. If you end up with the truunk and no roots it is too far gone. Good luck.

Darlene