Are you finding unwelcome visitors wriggling around in your potted plants or garden soil? Wondering how to get rid of worms in plants? There are a couple of things to think about, firstly what type of worms do you have and what are they actually doing there? There are lots of great and amazing worms that you absolutely do NOT want to get rid of because they are an integral part of the ecosystem building soil and nourishing your plants. These ones you want to keep. It’s only the destructive ones that might in some cases require action.
With the right approach, you can effectively eliminate harmful worms while maintaining a healthy, organic environment for your plants to thrive. In this guide, we’ll explore the best natural methods to get rid of worms in plants, incorporating organic matter and beneficial allies like red wigglers.
To start with a bit of investigation and a few questions to help you to diagnose the problem.
What Type of Worm is it?
Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to identify the types of worms infesting your plants. Knowing your situation is the first step towards effective control. Common worms are outlined as follows.
Earthworms or red wigglers
These are beneficial to plants, totally harmless to the plant roots and plant stems. They feed the soil through their worm castes adding nutrition, aeration and soil structure. Earthworms don’t tend to be present in indoor plants, but would only be there if they were brought in from the outside through homemade compost or the plant being left outside. They can be left to get on with doing their good work.
Pot worms or white worms
These are naturally occurring worms that live in ordinary garden soil. They tend to thrive in very moist conditions. They are not going to cause any damage to the plants themselves. Similar to red wigglers or earthworms they like to feed on the debris in the soil.
Reducing watering can help to reduce their numbers, if the soil is too dry the worms will naturally move away to a wetter area.
The best way to lure them out of a pot is with a trap. For example a piece of bread soaked in milk on the soil surface will attract them out. This can then be removed.
Grub worms
These are larvae that hatch from the eggs of beetles. These can cause a lot of damage in lawns because they eat the roots. It is unlikely that you will find them in indoor plants.
These types of worms can be treated with some of the remedies outlined below.
Cabbage worms
These are the green velvety larvae of the cabbage white butterfly. They are a pest for plants that are members of the cabbage family. They will not be a problem for plants that are not within this family.
Cabbage worms can be treated by removing the eggs or preventing the eggs from being laid in the first place.
- Remove the eggs by rubbing the backs of the leaves gently with soapy water, or pick them off by hand if the infestation is small.
- Preventing the eggs from being laid requires a barrier to prevent the butterfly from getting to the plant, netting usually works very well for this.
Indoor plants or outdoor plants?
Indoor Plants
Are the worms in your indoor plants? So are they confined to the pots and if so where did they come from? Were the plants left outside for some period of time and the worms got in? Or did you top up the compost of potting material in the pot and introduce the worms?
It is worth understanding where the infestation came from so that you can stop it from spreading, or from happening again. For example if the worms were brought in from outside they are unlikely to spread to your other pot plants. The remedy might be to repot the plant, remove the old compost that contains the worms and replace with new shop bought inert sterile compost that will not contain worms.
If they have appeared from indoors then did they come from the plant shop or garden centre? In which case you can check back with the seller to find out what they are and how to treat them.
It is fairly rare for worms to just appear in indoor pot plants, unless you have left the window open and a beetle or butterfly has flown in to lay eggs and grub worms have hatched. In this scenario it is unlikely to be an infestation, simply remove the offending worms.
Outdoor Plants
If outdoors are the plants in pots or in the earth? If the plants are in pots and the worms are worth worrying about then I would suggest repotting the plant. Remove it from the pot, shake off as much of the old compost as possible, which should contain the worms. Repot with new shop bought potting compost which will be sterile, and should not contain any worms.
If the worms are in the soil outdoors for example cabbage worms or grub worms then specific remedies will be required as outlined below.
If they are earthworms or white worms and outside, then let nature take its course. if there is an infestation, or a large volume of worms nature will usually right itself if given enough time. These types of worms are harmless to the plants so there is no need to do anything about them. If they are really bothering you, let the soil dry out, the worms will naturally move to more moist conditions. Just beware of the impact on your plants if you let the soil dry out!
The Role of Organic Matter
Organic matter plays a crucial role in maintaining soil health and deterring harmful worms. Incorporating compost, mulch, or aged manure into your potting soil or garden bed adds nutrients and improves soil structure, making it less hospitable to destructive worms. Additionally, organic material attracts beneficial earthworms and natural predators, creating a balanced ecosystem that supports plant growth.
Each year I always add at least 5 – 10cm of organic matter to my garden beds to keep the ecosystem thriving in the most natural way. When starting a new garden bed I use a layer of wet cardboard with organic matter on top.
Natural Remedies for Worm Control
1. Diatomaceous Earth
This powdery substance derived from fossilized algae is an excellent natural insecticide. Sprinkle it on the soil surface around your plants to deter worms and other pests like spider mites and fungus gnats.
2. Neem Oil
Extracted from the neem tree, neem oil is a potent organic insecticide that disrupts the life cycle of harmful insects while being safe for plants and beneficial insects. Dilute it with warm water and spray it on infested plants to control worms and other pests.
3. Insecticidal Soap
Made from natural plant oils, insecticidal soap effectively kills soft-bodied pests like cabbage worms and spider mites. Spray it directly on affected plants, focusing on the undersides of leaves where pests tend to hide.
4. Row Covers
Covering young seedlings or vulnerable plants with row covers prevents adult moths and other pests from laying eggs on them, effectively breaking the life cycle of worms like cabbage worms and cabbage moths.
5. Biological Control
Introduce natural predators like predatory nematodes, parasitic wasps, or beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to your garden. These predators feed on harmful worms and help keep their populations in check. You can introduce them or attract them through considered companion planting. Remember that biological control can take time to work, the ladybug population needs to build up to feed on the offending worms. It can be hard to sit and wait for nature to take its course, but if you do, you will be rewarded with a more diverse ecosystem and healthier plants.
Prevention Tips and Maintenance
– Improve drainage in pots and garden beds by ensuring they have adequate drainage holes. I always add a layer of gravel or small stones at the base of pots for good drainage.
– Remove dead plants and debris promptly to eliminate potential breeding grounds for harmful worms. Decaying plant material is moist, and worms prefer moisture. Move the materials to your compost bin and keep the worms happy within the bin.
– Rotate crops in your vegetable garden to disrupt the life cycle of soil-dwelling pests.
– Monitor plants regularly for signs of worm infestation, such as wilting, yellowing leaves, or visible insect activity.
FAQ
Why are worms coming out of my plant?
It is rare for worms to come out of the soil, worms that live in the soil prefer to stay in the dark moist environment and will only come to the surface if there are unfavourable conditions for them. Perhaps the soil is too dry. Worms will pop to the surface if the soil has been disturbed, for example when planting out seedlings, I often see worms pop up from the soil.
How do I get rid of worms in my garden?
First identify the type of worm you have before you decide whether or not to get rid of it. Remember that there are lots of good beneficial worms that are helping to build soil and bring nutrition to your plants, you absolutely do not want to get rid of these ones.
Are worms bad for potted plants?
Mostly no. Most worms are just living and doing their thing in the soil and they do not affect the potted plants that they are living underneath.
How did worms get in my potted plant?
The most likely reason is that some soil or compost that contains worms has been added to your potted plant. The second most likely reason is that the plant has been left outside for a period of time and the worms have wriggled their way in.
Is it ok to have worms in your plants?
Yes it is. A lot of worms are just part of the soil ecosystem and are not harmful to plants, in fact they are beneficial for building soil and making nutrients available to the plants.
How do you get rid of earthworms in soil?
Don’t! They are amazing to have in soil, they are a really important part of the ecosystem.
Conclusion
Dealing with worm infestations in your plants can be a challenge, but with the right organic methods and a little patience, you can effectively eliminate these pests and retain healthy plants. By incorporating organic matter, natural remedies, and preventive measures, you can create a thriving garden or indoor oasis that’s free from harmful worms and conducive to plant growth. Remember, a healthy ecosystem is the key to long-term pest control and vibrant, flourishing plants.