Pest identification
What's eating my geranium himalayense?
Vine weevil
Signs: Larvae eat rhizomes and roots causing wilting; adults notch leaf margins at night.
Control: Apply Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes to moist soil in late summer; inspect rhizomes when dividing.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes in young leaves and eaten shoot tips; silvery slime trails around the crown.
Control: Scatter ferric phosphate pellets; use a grit mulch; hand-pick at dusk or after rain.
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on new shoots causing sticky honeydew, sooty mould, and curled leaves.
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or water jet; encourage ladybirds and ground beetles in the border.
Keep geranium himalayense pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Geranium himalayense pests — FAQ
What is eating my geranium himalayense?
Geranium himalayense is a hardy, rhizomatous perennial that is generally pest-resistant. Vine weevil grubs can damage the rhizomes, slugs graze young foliage, and aphids appear on shoot tips in spring. Deer occasionally browse clumps in rural gardens. The plant's spreading rhizomes help it recover from moderate pest damage.
How do I get rid of vine weevil on geranium himalayense?
Larvae eat rhizomes and roots causing wilting; adults notch leaf margins at night. Apply Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes to moist soil in late summer; inspect rhizomes when dividing.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on geranium himalayense?
Holes in young leaves and eaten shoot tips; silvery slime trails around the crown. Scatter ferric phosphate pellets; use a grit mulch; hand-pick at dusk or after rain.
How do I get rid of aphids on geranium himalayense?
Dense colonies on new shoots causing sticky honeydew, sooty mould, and curled leaves. Spray with insecticidal soap or water jet; encourage ladybirds and ground beetles in the border.