Pest identification
What's eating my chrysanthemum greens?
Aphids (Macrosiphoniella spp. and green peach aphid Myzus persicae)
Signs: Soft colonies on growing tips and flower buds; sticky honeydew; distorted new growth; can transmit viruses in stressed plants.
Control: Knock off with a strong water jet; insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators (lacewings, ladybirds); avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen.
Slugs and snails (Deroceras / Arion spp.)
Signs: Ragged holes in young seedlings and emerging shoots, often reducing plant numbers at germination stage; worst in cool, damp conditions.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets; copper tape around pots; hand-pick at night; remove leaf debris that provides daytime shelter.
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Fine stippling and bronzing on upper leaf surfaces in dry hot weather; fine webbing on leaf undersides in heavy infestations.
Control: Increase humidity and water regularly; strong water spray on undersides of leaves; insecticidal soap or neem oil for established infestations.
Keep chrysanthemum greens pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Chrysanthemum Greens pests — FAQ
What is eating my chrysanthemum greens?
Chrysanthemum Greens (Glebionis coronaria) are relatively trouble-free: the aromatic foliage deters many insects. Aphids, slugs, and spider mites are the main threats in the garden. Slugs target young seedlings; aphids colonise stems in dry spells. Generally low-maintenance compared with brassica greens.
How do I get rid of aphids (macrosiphoniella spp. and green peach aphid myzus persicae) on chrysanthemum greens?
Soft colonies on growing tips and flower buds; sticky honeydew; distorted new growth; can transmit viruses in stressed plants. Knock off with a strong water jet; insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators (lacewings, ladybirds); avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails (deroceras / arion spp.) on chrysanthemum greens?
Ragged holes in young seedlings and emerging shoots, often reducing plant numbers at germination stage; worst in cool, damp conditions. Iron phosphate pellets; copper tape around pots; hand-pick at night; remove leaf debris that provides daytime shelter.
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus urticae) on chrysanthemum greens?
Fine stippling and bronzing on upper leaf surfaces in dry hot weather; fine webbing on leaf undersides in heavy infestations. Increase humidity and water regularly; strong water spray on undersides of leaves; insecticidal soap or neem oil for established infestations.