Pest identification
What's eating my african marigold?
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Fine stippling and bronzing on upper leaves; fine webbing on undersides in heavy infestations
Control: Increase humidity; strong water sprays to knock off mites; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; avoid water stress
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in leaves and stems of seedlings and young plants; slime trails
Control: Iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at night; use grit or copper barriers around young plants
Aphids
Signs: Curled shoot tips; sticky honeydew; soft-bodied insects clustered on new growth
Control: Knock off with water; insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators such as ladybirds
Keep african marigold pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
African marigold pests — FAQ
What is eating my african marigold?
African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are notably resistant to many pests, but spider mites cause stippled, bronzed foliage in hot dry weather. Slugs and snails damage seedlings and young plants. Aphids occasionally cluster on shoot tips, and caterpillars (including Heliothis spp.) may chew flowers. Rabbits and deer generally avoid the pungent foliage.
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus urticae) on african marigold?
Fine stippling and bronzing on upper leaves; fine webbing on undersides in heavy infestations Increase humidity; strong water sprays to knock off mites; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; avoid water stress
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on african marigold?
Ragged holes in leaves and stems of seedlings and young plants; slime trails Iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at night; use grit or copper barriers around young plants
How do I get rid of aphids on african marigold?
Curled shoot tips; sticky honeydew; soft-bodied insects clustered on new growth Knock off with water; insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators such as ladybirds