What's eating my arisaema griffithii?

Arisaema griffithii (cobra lily) grows outdoors in moist woodland conditions where slugs and snails are the chief enemies, rasping holes in the large dramatic spathes and emerging leaves in spring. Vine weevil grubs attack the corm underground. Aphids may colonise soft stems and deer will browse unprotected plants.

Ragged holes or entire sections eaten from the spathe and unfurling leaves as they emerge in spring; distinctive slime trails Apply organic slug pellets (ferric phosphate) around emerging shoots; use copper tape on pot rims; encourage ground beetles and hedgehogs

Adult notching on leaf margins; C-shaped grubs consume the corm, causing sudden collapse — plants in containers are most at risk Apply nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer; inspect corms when dividing and destroy any grubs found

Colonies on stems and undersides of leaves in spring; honeydew and sooty mould accumulate on the showy spathe Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap; natural predators usually restore balance quickly

Browsing of emerging spathes and foliage, which can remove the entire above-ground growth for the season Surround planting with deer-repellent spray or physical barrier netting; plant among denser shrubs for cover