My wife has been caring for this plant for decades. It used to be her mother's before she passed away.

Anyway, it thrives on just getting water and sitting on the kitchen counter. We have zero green thumbs between us.

I have two questions.
1. What kind of plant is it?
2. Can I/should I use "Sevin" to control the tiny white bugs that we recently noticed on the soil. There are none on the leaf bottoms or tops, just the soil.

I cannot post a picture of the bugs because they are so very tiny. If necessary I will attempt to take a picture through a magnifying glass, let me know?

Hi and to the site!

Your lovely plant is Heartleaf Philodendron, a popular houseplant for many. You can find growing information and many member photos on this page of our database: Heart Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium)

plantladylin said: Hi and to the site!

Your lovely plant is Heartleaf Philodendron.

Thank you.

So, do you know what I should do about the tiny white bugs crawling in its soil?

Perhaps if the bugs worry you, give them a spritz of insecticidal soap (or even ordinary soap) and avoid using anything as lethal as Sevin.

porkpal said: Perhaps if the bugs worry you, give them a spritz of insecticidal soap (or even ordinary soap) and avoid using anything as lethal as Sevin.

Thank you, I will not use the Sevin. I will look for "insecticidal soap" (didn't know there was such a thing).

I read somewhere that if they are "soil mites" they are actually beneficial. Is there any way to tell before I try eliminating them?

In my opinion, this plant is not suffering due to insects in soil.

I don't think any change or treatment is called for.

sallyg said: In my opinion, this plant is not suffering due to insects in soil.

I don't think any change or treatment is called for.

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Thank you. I will let it be.