Pest identification
What's eating my ipomoea purpurea?
Aphids
Signs: Distorted leaves and stems coated in sticky honeydew; sooty mould follows
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; release ladybirds or lacewing larvae as biocontrol
Tortoise beetles and caterpillars
Signs: Irregular or large round holes chewed through leaves, sometimes defoliating plants
Control: Hand-pick adults and egg clusters; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for caterpillars
Slugs and snails
Signs: Seedlings and young stems eaten to the ground overnight, leaving slime trails
Control: Use iron phosphate pellets, copper tape, or go slug-hunting at night; remove debris hiding spots
Spider mites
Signs: Yellowing, stippled foliage with fine webbing, especially in dry hot spells
Control: Keep soil evenly moist; spray undersides of leaves with neem oil or miticide
Keep ipomoea purpurea pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ipomoea purpurea pests — FAQ
What is eating my ipomoea purpurea?
Common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) is attacked by aphids on new growth, and tortoise beetle and caterpillar species can chew large holes in the foliage. Spider mites thrive in hot dry summers. Deer and rabbits may graze young plants, and slugs and snails damage seedlings at soil level.
How do I get rid of aphids on ipomoea purpurea?
Distorted leaves and stems coated in sticky honeydew; sooty mould follows Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; release ladybirds or lacewing larvae as biocontrol
How do I get rid of tortoise beetles and caterpillars on ipomoea purpurea?
Irregular or large round holes chewed through leaves, sometimes defoliating plants Hand-pick adults and egg clusters; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for caterpillars
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on ipomoea purpurea?
Seedlings and young stems eaten to the ground overnight, leaving slime trails Use iron phosphate pellets, copper tape, or go slug-hunting at night; remove debris hiding spots
How do I get rid of spider mites on ipomoea purpurea?
Yellowing, stippled foliage with fine webbing, especially in dry hot spells Keep soil evenly moist; spray undersides of leaves with neem oil or miticide