Pest identification
What's eating my french lavender?
Rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana)
Signs: Metallic beetles and larvae eat foliage and flower stems; fringed leaves show notching and loss of tissue.
Control: Hand-pick adults and larvae; shake over newspaper; remove soil-stage pupae in spring.
Spittlebugs / froghoppers
Signs: Frothy white 'cuckoo spit' on stems in spring; sap loss rarely significant on healthy outdoor plants.
Control: Hose off foam — exposure kills the nymph; no insecticide required.
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on soft new shoot tips; honeydew attracts sooty mould; distorted young leaves.
Control: Blast with water; insecticidal soap or neem oil for persistent populations.
Whiteflies
Signs: Tiny white flies erupt from foliage when disturbed; yellowing leaves; sticky honeydew on pot-grown or indoor specimens.
Control: Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; ensure good ventilation.
Keep french lavender pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
French Lavender pests — FAQ
What is eating my french lavender?
French lavender (Lavandula dentata) is slightly more susceptible to pests than angustifolia types because its fringed leaves retain more moisture. Rosemary beetle, spittlebugs, and aphids are the main threats. Whiteflies can appear when it is grown under glass or in warm humid conditions. Good airflow is the best prevention.
How do I get rid of rosemary beetle (chrysolina americana) on french lavender?
Metallic beetles and larvae eat foliage and flower stems; fringed leaves show notching and loss of tissue. Hand-pick adults and larvae; shake over newspaper; remove soil-stage pupae in spring.
How do I get rid of spittlebugs / froghoppers on french lavender?
Frothy white 'cuckoo spit' on stems in spring; sap loss rarely significant on healthy outdoor plants. Hose off foam — exposure kills the nymph; no insecticide required.
How do I get rid of aphids on french lavender?
Colonies on soft new shoot tips; honeydew attracts sooty mould; distorted young leaves. Blast with water; insecticidal soap or neem oil for persistent populations.
How do I get rid of whiteflies on french lavender?
Tiny white flies erupt from foliage when disturbed; yellowing leaves; sticky honeydew on pot-grown or indoor specimens. Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; ensure good ventilation.