Troubleshooting
Lamb's Quarters problems — and how to fix them
Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium album) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Leaf miners
Larvae tunnel through leaves leaving pale trails. Remove affected foliage; use row covers in severe cases.
Aphid colonies
May cluster on tender shoot tips. Knock off with a strong water spray or apply insecticidal soap.
Bolting in heat
Plants run to seed quickly in midsummer. Succession-sow every 3-4 weeks for a continuous harvest.
Powdery mildew
Can appear in humid, crowded conditions. Thin plants and avoid overhead watering.
Self-seeding invasiveness
Each plant can produce tens of thousands of seeds. Harvest or dead-head before seeds ripen if spread is a concern.
Prevent lamb's quarters problems before they start
Most lamb's quarters issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Lamb's Quarters problems — FAQ
Why is my lamb's quarters leaf miners?
Larvae tunnel through leaves leaving pale trails. Remove affected foliage; use row covers in severe cases.
Why is my lamb's quarters aphid colonies?
May cluster on tender shoot tips. Knock off with a strong water spray or apply insecticidal soap.
Why is my lamb's quarters bolting in heat?
Plants run to seed quickly in midsummer. Succession-sow every 3-4 weeks for a continuous harvest.
Why is my lamb's quarters powdery mildew?
Can appear in humid, crowded conditions. Thin plants and avoid overhead watering.
Why is my lamb's quarters self-seeding invasiveness?
Each plant can produce tens of thousands of seeds. Harvest or dead-head before seeds ripen if spread is a concern.