The Urban Jungle LLC

05/06/2026

Got pests? Don’t panic, treat smart. 🪴

Here’s what I personally use depending on what I’m dealing with:

Why this matters:
If you don’t use the right treatment, you’ll waste time, money, and the pests will just keep coming back. Been there… not doing that again …

First line of defense (always start here):
• Rinse your plant (shower method)
• Remove heavily infested leaves
• Isolate immediately

For soft-bodied pests (aphids, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies):

• Insecticidal soap – gentle and effective
Pros: safe for most plants, low toxicity, works fast on contact
Cons: no residual effect (you must repeat), can miss hidden pests , not my first choice.

• Neem oil – works, but consistency is key
Pros: natural option, some residual protection, antifungal benefits
Cons: strong smell (it really stinks), can burn leaves if misused, slower results.

• Azamax (azadirachtin) – one of my FAVORITES
Targets: spider mites, thrips, aphids, whiteflies, fungus gnat larvae
Works as a growth regulator + repellent
Pros: disrupts pest life cycle, longer-lasting than soaps, kinda systemic, you can use it as spray, soil drench, even in hydro
Cons: not instant (takes time), pricier, needs repeat applications but definitely my first choice, because you can use the same product for both spray and drench applications.

• Spinosad – another favorite
Targets: thrips (especially), caterpillars, some mites
Great when nothing else is working
Pros: very effective on thrips, works by ingestion + contact, relatively fast
Cons: can harm beneficial insects, not great for eggs, may need multiple treatments

For fungus gnats:
• Mosquito bits (BTI)
Pros: targets larvae specifically, safe for plants
Cons: doesn’t kill adults, needs consistency

For soil-dwelling pests (larvae, root pests):
• Systemic granules
Pros: long-lasting, protects the whole plant
Cons: slower to act, not for edible plants, chemical-based

House remedies (honest take):
• Dish soap + water
Cheap and easy
Can damage leaves and usually not enough on its own

• Rubbing alcohol (spot treat)
Great for mealybugs, kills on contact
Can burn plants if you overdo it

• Hydrogen peroxide (for gnats)
Helps reduce larvae
Temporary fix, they come back if you don’t treat properly

These help in a pinch, but they’re not long-term solutions

Budget tip (this matters):
You can use tree & shrub systemic granules for houseplants.
Most of the time it’s the same active ingredient (like imidacloprid), just different label.

You’re usually paying more for the “houseplant” version… not a better product.

Just be careful with dosage since outdoor ones can be more concentrated.

Pro tips:
• Repeat treatments, one time is almost never enough
• Treat ALL nearby plants (don’t skip this)
• Check weekly… pests love a comeback

Save this for later, your plants will thank you 💚

05/05/2026

Don’t Bring That Plant Home Without Doing This First
Helpful tips!!
Here’s how I keep mine safe:

• Quarantine first, always.
Keep your new plant away from your other plants for at least 2–3 weeks. No exceptions. This gives you time to observe it and catch any issues before they spread.

• Do a little homework.
Not all plants attract the same pests. Some are more prone to things like spider mites, thrips, or mealybugs. Knowing what to look for makes a big difference.

• Inspect like you mean it.
Check under leaves, stems, and even the soil. If you can, use a small microscope or magnifying glass, a lot of pests are tiny and easy to miss at first.

• Treat smart, not random.
Not all treatments work for everything. Use the right method depending on the pest (insecticidal soap, neem oil, systemic, etc.). Guessing can waste time and let things spread.

• Don’t assume a plant is “clean.”
It doesn’t matter where it came from, a big nursery, a small seller, or even a friend. Pests happen everywhere. It’s not taboo, it’s just reality.

• Pests are easier to bring home than you think.
You can introduce them from cut flowers, garden veggies, plants from outside, or even on your clothes after being outdoors. I’ve literally seen mealybugs on store bought produce.

• Make prevention part of your routine.
Regularly check your plants and consider light preventative treatments. It’s much easier to prevent than to deal with a full infestation later.

At the end of the day, it’s not about being paranoid, just being consistent. A little extra care at the beginning can save your whole collection 🌱

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m always here and happy to help.

04/16/2026

Coming soon

04/13/2026

04/13/2026

This weekend’s event was a huge success!

Thank you so much to everyone who attended, donated, and sold. Your support means everything. And a special thank you to The Paddlefish brewery for letting us use their space and making it all possible!

Raffle results are now posted on the event page.

If you’d like to learn more about these kinds of events, follow us on Facebook in the Mankato Houseplant Collective &
Mankato Area Plant People

03/17/2026

Join us for
🌿 Plant Meeting • Sale • Swap 🌿

The Mankato Houseplant Collective and Mankato Area Plant People are getting together for a plant day!

April 11
🕛 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Paddlefish Brewing – St. Peter, Minnesota

Come hang out with fellow plant lovers! This will be a casual meeting, sale, and plant swap where we can talk plants, meet new people, and maybe find a new plant to take home.

🌱 Plant Swap:
If you have plants that don’t bring you joy anymore, bring them! Someone else might love them and give them a new home.

🪴 Plant Vendors

Paddlefish Brewing has space for up to 5 vendor tables (6' x 2.5'), and there is no booth fee.

If you would like to reserve a spot to sell plants or plant-related items, please message me directly. I will send you a short form to fill out .

You can choose:
• Half table
• Full table

I will also be updating the event with the vendors who join and what they’ll be bringing, so everyone can see what plants and items will be available 🌿

I hope to see you there 💚💚💚

03/01/2026

Hi plant friends! 💚

I’m not selling plants for the moment, but I want you to know I’m working behind the scenes preparing SO many different varieties for you all. 🌿✨

I’m growing from seeds and cuttings, and I’m taking the time to let everything root properly and fully stabilize before releasing them. I want you to receive strong, healthy, well established plants, not rushed ones.

I’ll be posting them in a few months once they’re ready. Stay tuned… there are some beauties coming.

Thank you for always supporting The Urban Jungle LLC 💚

02/16/2026

Hoyas 🩷

11/21/2025

Mexican Pinguicula 🩷
Look at this cute little Pin Tiny, sticky, and perfect for catching gnats. So easy to care for and honestly one of my favorites 💚🪴

10/25/2025

Another one of my favorite plants
The Hoyas! 💚
These beauties are semi succulent tropical vines, kind of the best of both worlds.
They have thick, waxy leaves like a succulent but love humidity and soft light like a tropical.
Once they bloom, those tiny star-shaped flowers smell amazing totally worth the wait!