Pest identification
What's eating my geranium nodosum?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Small holes in young foliage, mainly in spring; damage trails off as the season progresses and plants toughen up.
Control: Hand-pick at night; use iron phosphate slug pellets in spring; a grit mulch around the crown reduces access.
Vine weevil
Signs: Root and crown damage from grubs in container-grown plants; adults leave small scalloped bites around leaf edges.
Control: Drench compost with nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer; inspect and refresh compost annually in pots.
Keep geranium nodosum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Geranium nodosum pests — FAQ
What is eating my geranium nodosum?
Geranium nodosum is one of the most pest-resistant hardy geraniums, thriving in dry shade where many pests struggle to establish. Slugs may nibble emerging growth, vine weevil occasionally attacks crowns, and vine weevil is the more serious threat in containers. Deer tend to avoid this species, making it a reliable low-maintenance choice.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on geranium nodosum?
Small holes in young foliage, mainly in spring; damage trails off as the season progresses and plants toughen up. Hand-pick at night; use iron phosphate slug pellets in spring; a grit mulch around the crown reduces access.
How do I get rid of vine weevil on geranium nodosum?
Root and crown damage from grubs in container-grown plants; adults leave small scalloped bites around leaf edges. Drench compost with nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer; inspect and refresh compost annually in pots.