Pest identification
What's eating my grosso lavandin?
Aphids
Signs: Soft growth tips covered in dense colonies; honeydew leads to sooty mold on flower stems
Control: Jet of water or insecticidal soap; encourage hoverflies and ladybugs nearby
Spittlebug (froghoppers)
Signs: Foamy white spittle on stems; nymphs suck sap but rarely cause lasting damage
Control: Wash off by hand or hose; monitor but treat only if plants look stressed
Rosemary beetle
Signs: Shiny metallic adults and pale larvae strip leaves and flower buds from late summer onwards
Control: Hand-pick at dusk; lay a sheet below plant and shake; use pyrethrum if needed
Keep grosso lavandin pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Grosso lavandin pests — FAQ
What is eating my grosso lavandin?
Grosso lavandin shares the genus's good pest resistance, but aphids colonize new growth, spittlebugs appear in spring, and rosemary beetle has spread widely across the UK and parts of the US. Its thick growth habit can trap humidity at the base, encouraging root and stem rots rather than insect pests.
How do I get rid of aphids on grosso lavandin?
Soft growth tips covered in dense colonies; honeydew leads to sooty mold on flower stems Jet of water or insecticidal soap; encourage hoverflies and ladybugs nearby
How do I get rid of spittlebug (froghoppers) on grosso lavandin?
Foamy white spittle on stems; nymphs suck sap but rarely cause lasting damage Wash off by hand or hose; monitor but treat only if plants look stressed
How do I get rid of rosemary beetle on grosso lavandin?
Shiny metallic adults and pale larvae strip leaves and flower buds from late summer onwards Hand-pick at dusk; lay a sheet below plant and shake; use pyrethrum if needed