Troubleshooting
Lungwort problems — and how to fix them
Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Powdery mildew
The most common problem: white mealy coating develops on leaf surfaces in warm, dry summers or where air circulation is poor; cut back all foliage to the ground after flowering and the fresh summer flush typically emerges clean.
Vine weevil grubs
C-shaped white grubs feeding on rhizomes cause plants to wilt suddenly; apply nematode biological control (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer to early autumn when soil temperature is above 5 °C.
Prevent lungwort problems before they start
Most lungwort issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Lungwort problems — FAQ
Why is my lungwort powdery mildew?
The most common problem: white mealy coating develops on leaf surfaces in warm, dry summers or where air circulation is poor; cut back all foliage to the ground after flowering and the fresh summer flush typically emerges clean.
Why is my lungwort vine weevil grubs?
C-shaped white grubs feeding on rhizomes cause plants to wilt suddenly; apply nematode biological control (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer to early autumn when soil temperature is above 5 °C.