Pest identification
What's eating my coleus?
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on shoot tips and leaf undersides; stunted or curled new leaves; sticky honeydew and possible sooty mold.
Control: Knock off with a jet of water; apply insecticidal soap spray; introduce ladybugs (ladybirds) as biological control outdoors.
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy clusters at stem joints and leaf axils; weakened growth; honeydew residue and sooty mold.
Control: Dab colonies with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab; follow up with neem oil spray; repeat after 10 days.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged, irregular holes in leaves, particularly at night; slime trails on foliage and nearby soil.
Control: Hand-pick at night; use iron phosphate slug bait (pet-safe); clear debris around plants to remove daytime shelters.
Whitefly
Signs: Clouds of tiny white insects fly up when plant is disturbed; yellowing, mottled leaves; honeydew and sooty mold.
Control: Use yellow sticky traps; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray to undersides of leaves; repeat weekly for 3 weeks.
Keep coleus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Coleus pests — FAQ
What is eating my coleus?
Coleus is attractive to mealybugs and aphids indoors, and to slugs, whitefly, and caterpillars outdoors. Aphids are the most frequent nuisance, targeting soft new growth and causing curled, discolored foliage. Outdoor plants also attract slugs in cool, damp conditions. Inspect regularly and treat early to protect the vivid foliage that makes coleus so ornamental.
How do I get rid of aphids on coleus?
Dense colonies on shoot tips and leaf undersides; stunted or curled new leaves; sticky honeydew and possible sooty mold. Knock off with a jet of water; apply insecticidal soap spray; introduce ladybugs (ladybirds) as biological control outdoors.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on coleus?
White waxy clusters at stem joints and leaf axils; weakened growth; honeydew residue and sooty mold. Dab colonies with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab; follow up with neem oil spray; repeat after 10 days.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on coleus?
Ragged, irregular holes in leaves, particularly at night; slime trails on foliage and nearby soil. Hand-pick at night; use iron phosphate slug bait (pet-safe); clear debris around plants to remove daytime shelters.
How do I get rid of whitefly on coleus?
Clouds of tiny white insects fly up when plant is disturbed; yellowing, mottled leaves; honeydew and sooty mold. Use yellow sticky traps; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray to undersides of leaves; repeat weekly for 3 weeks.