Pest identification
What's eating my african blue basil?
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on stem tips and flower buds; sticky honeydew; distorted growth on soft new shoots
Control: Spray off with water; insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects in the garden
Japanese Beetles
Signs: Skeletonized leaf tissue; beetles feed in groups on exposed foliage through summer
Control: Hand-pick in the morning into soapy water; neem oil spray; row covers during peak season
Thrips
Signs: Silvery, streaked or papery patches on leaves and flowers; distorted petals and buds
Control: Blue sticky traps for monitoring; spinosad-based spray; remove heavily infested flower clusters
Spider Mites
Signs: Fine stippling on foliage; bronze cast; webbing on leaf undersides in hot or dry conditions
Control: Increase humidity; mist regularly; neem oil; predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) indoors
Keep african blue basil pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
African Blue Basil pests — FAQ
What is eating my african blue basil?
African Blue Basil is a robust perennial hybrid that still faces aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles. Its continuous flowering makes it attractive to thrips. Because it is often grown as a tender perennial or large pot plant, fungus gnats can also be a problem indoors. Its oils provide moderate pest deterrence.
How do I get rid of aphids on african blue basil?
Colonies on stem tips and flower buds; sticky honeydew; distorted growth on soft new shoots Spray off with water; insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects in the garden
How do I get rid of japanese beetles on african blue basil?
Skeletonized leaf tissue; beetles feed in groups on exposed foliage through summer Hand-pick in the morning into soapy water; neem oil spray; row covers during peak season
How do I get rid of thrips on african blue basil?
Silvery, streaked or papery patches on leaves and flowers; distorted petals and buds Blue sticky traps for monitoring; spinosad-based spray; remove heavily infested flower clusters
How do I get rid of spider mites on african blue basil?
Fine stippling on foliage; bronze cast; webbing on leaf undersides in hot or dry conditions Increase humidity; mist regularly; neem oil; predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) indoors