Pest identification
What's eating my helenium autumnale 'pumilum magnificum'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Basal leaves and new shoots chewed or destroyed in early spring, potentially killing off weak divisions.
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets and grit mulch around crowns as soon as new growth is visible in late winter.
Aphids
Signs: Greenfly colonies on young stems in late spring, causing curled leaves and sticky honeydew deposits.
Control: Strong water jet or insecticidal soap spray; introduce or encourage ladybugs; avoid over-feeding with nitrogen.
Earwigs
Signs: Petals and ray florets of open daisy flowers nibbled at night, spoiling the autumn display.
Control: Overnight straw or newspaper traps near plants; tolerate low levels as earwigs also prey on aphids.
Keep helenium autumnale 'pumilum magnificum' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats sneezeweed — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common helenium autumnale 'pumilum magnificum' problems & fixes
- Helenium autumnale 'Pumilum Magnificum' watering schedule
- Helenium autumnale 'Pumilum Magnificum' light requirements
- Full helenium autumnale 'pumilum magnificum' care guide
Helenium autumnale 'Pumilum Magnificum' pests — FAQ
What is eating my helenium autumnale 'pumilum magnificum'?
Helenium autumnale 'Pumilum Magnificum' is a compact sneezeweed susceptible to the usual helenium pests. Slugs and snails can ravage emerging spring crowns. Aphids colonise soft stems early in the season. Its late-season flowers also attract earwigs at the open daisy stage. Good airflow and regular division keep plants healthy and more resilient.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on helenium autumnale 'pumilum magnificum'?
Basal leaves and new shoots chewed or destroyed in early spring, potentially killing off weak divisions. Apply iron phosphate pellets and grit mulch around crowns as soon as new growth is visible in late winter.
How do I get rid of aphids on helenium autumnale 'pumilum magnificum'?
Greenfly colonies on young stems in late spring, causing curled leaves and sticky honeydew deposits. Strong water jet or insecticidal soap spray; introduce or encourage ladybugs; avoid over-feeding with nitrogen.
How do I get rid of earwigs on helenium autumnale 'pumilum magnificum'?
Petals and ray florets of open daisy flowers nibbled at night, spoiling the autumn display. Overnight straw or newspaper traps near plants; tolerate low levels as earwigs also prey on aphids.