Pest identification
What's eating my helianthus salicifolius?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on new shoot tips and along stems in spring and early summer, causing distortion and honeydew.
Control: Water jet or insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators. Avoid excessive nitrogen that promotes soft growth.
Caterpillars
Signs: Holes in leaves or complete defoliation of individual stems by moth caterpillars feeding through summer.
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if infestations are heavy. Encourage garden birds.
Slugs and snails
Signs: New spring shoots eaten at crown level before plants gain height, particularly in wet seasons.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets around crowns in early spring; grit or bark mulch around the base of established plants.
Keep helianthus salicifolius pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Helianthus salicifolius pests — FAQ
What is eating my helianthus salicifolius?
Helianthus salicifolius, the willow-leaf sunflower, is a tall, late-flowering perennial with narrow leaves that are somewhat less attractive to pests than broader-leaved sunflowers. Aphids are still the primary concern on new growth. Caterpillars may feed on foliage in summer. Slugs can damage emerging spring shoots. Birds eat the small seeds in autumn.
How do I get rid of aphids on helianthus salicifolius?
Clusters on new shoot tips and along stems in spring and early summer, causing distortion and honeydew. Water jet or insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators. Avoid excessive nitrogen that promotes soft growth.
How do I get rid of caterpillars on helianthus salicifolius?
Holes in leaves or complete defoliation of individual stems by moth caterpillars feeding through summer. Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if infestations are heavy. Encourage garden birds.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on helianthus salicifolius?
New spring shoots eaten at crown level before plants gain height, particularly in wet seasons. Iron phosphate pellets around crowns in early spring; grit or bark mulch around the base of established plants.