Pest identification
What's eating my chamomile?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on stem tips and flower buds; sticky honeydew; bud distortion and reduced flower count
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or knock off with water; plant near fennel or dill to attract aphid predators; pinch out heavily infested tips
Thrips
Signs: Silver-streaked or bronzed petal edges; tiny dark frass on flower heads; flowers may fail to open fully
Control: Introduce or encourage predatory insects (Orius spp.); use sticky blue traps to monitor; spray with neem oil or spinosad if damage is significant
Slugs and snails
Signs: Seedlings and young transplants eaten at soil level; irregular holes in lower leaves
Control: Use iron phosphate slug pellets around seedlings; sow indoors and transplant when 5–8 cm tall; create a gritty mulch barrier
Keep chamomile pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Chamomile pests — FAQ
What is eating my chamomile?
Chamomile is considered a companion plant that deters some pests, but aphids and thrips feed on flower heads and soft stems. Midge larvae can cause gall-like distortion. Caterpillars occasionally browse foliage. Slugs target seedlings. Chamomile's fast growth means it outpaces light pest pressure, but aphid colonies on buds can reduce flower yields noticeably.
How do I get rid of aphids on chamomile?
Clusters on stem tips and flower buds; sticky honeydew; bud distortion and reduced flower count Spray with insecticidal soap or knock off with water; plant near fennel or dill to attract aphid predators; pinch out heavily infested tips
How do I get rid of thrips on chamomile?
Silver-streaked or bronzed petal edges; tiny dark frass on flower heads; flowers may fail to open fully Introduce or encourage predatory insects (Orius spp.); use sticky blue traps to monitor; spray with neem oil or spinosad if damage is significant
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on chamomile?
Seedlings and young transplants eaten at soil level; irregular holes in lower leaves Use iron phosphate slug pellets around seedlings; sow indoors and transplant when 5–8 cm tall; create a gritty mulch barrier