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Plant problems

There are tiny flies around my plant's soil

Short answer

Almost always this is about the soil staying wet rather than about the plant. Fungus gnats are the usual answer, their larvae need a growing medium that never dries out, and the fix every source gives is the same one: let the top inch dry before watering again. Before you change anything, check what the insects actually do. Ones that jump rather than fly are springtails and are not a problem. Ones that gather at a fruit bowl or a bin are fruit flies, and ones that look furry and sit near a sink came out of the drain, so the pot is a coincidence in both cases.

Most likely causes

Listed in the order they are worth ruling out. It is normal for more than one of these to be happening at once, so work down the list rather than stopping at the first match.

  1. 1

    Fungus gnats, which are about the soil rather than the plant

    The usual answer when the flies are rising off the pot rather than hovering by a fruit bowl. Their larvae need a growing medium that stays constantly moist, so watering every day or most days, a container of potting mix, or water left standing in the saucer all point here. Watering only once the soil has dried argues against it.

    What to check first

    Scratch the top inch of the mix with a fingertip and look closely. The larvae are whitish and see-through with a shiny black head, and they sit in the top inch or two, which is exactly the layer that stays wet.

  2. 2

    Springtails, if they jump instead of flying

    Worth checking early because the test takes a second and the answer is that nothing is wrong with the plant. They live in the same constantly damp soil that suits gnat larvae, so watering every day or most days points here as well.

    What to check first

    Disturb the soil surface with a finger, or trickle a little water across it, and watch what the specks actually do. Springtails spring away rather than taking off.

  3. 3

    Shore flies, if the soil surface has gone green

    The other fly that breeds in a wet pot, and the one to suspect once the surface has a green film. Water standing in the saucer and a pot of potting mix watered daily are what let the algae they feed on build up.

    What to check first

    Look at the surface of the mix and around the inside of the pot rim for a greenish crust or film. These breed in that algae layer rather than down among the roots.

  4. 4

    Fruit flies, which are not coming from the pot at all

    Worth ruling out before changing anything about the plant, because the answer here is that the plant is incidental. These gather where something is fermenting rather than where soil is wet.

    What to check first

    Watch where they settle when they are away from the plant. A fruit bowl, a bin, a recycling container or a drink left standing means these, and the potted plant nearby is a coincidence.

  5. 5

    Drain flies, if they look furry and sit near a sink

    Last because it is the least likely to have anything to do with a plant and the easiest to confirm. These breed in drains rather than in soil, so no change to the watering will affect them.

    What to check first

    Look at one closely, then look at the nearest drain. These are furry and moth-like, about an eighth of an inch, and they rest on the wall near a sink or shower rather than on the soil.

Still not sure

This is exactly what your county Extension office answers, for free. They are the local horticulture experts for your area, they know what is going around this season where you live, and they will look at a photo.

Find your local Extension office

Keep the next one alive

Pollinator Patch gives you watering and seasonal care for the plants you already own, written for your region rather than for gardening in general.