Pest identification
What's eating my king of hearts bleeding heart?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of tiny green or black insects on stems and undersides of leaves; curled, distorted foliage and sticky honeydew residue.
Control: Blast off with a strong jet of water on three consecutive days. Persistent colonies: spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, avoiding hot sunny periods. Test on a small patch first as Dicentra can be soap-sensitive.
Slugs
Signs: Ragged holes chewed in leaves and flowers, with silvery slime trails on foliage and nearby soil.
Control: Handpick at dusk or after rain. Apply iron phosphate slug pellets (pet-safe) around the crown. Diatomaceous earth as a dry barrier also works during dry spells.
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy tan or pale-brown bumps on stems; foliage yellows and overall plant vigour declines.
Control: Scrape off visible scale with a soft brush or butter knife. Follow up with horticultural oil or neem oil spray to smother remaining crawlers.
Keep king of hearts bleeding heart pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
King of Hearts Bleeding Heart pests — FAQ
What is eating my king of hearts bleeding heart?
King of Hearts Bleeding Heart is troubled by relatively few pests, but aphids and slugs are the most likely visitors — both drawn to its moist, shaded habitat. Aphids suck sap from tender stems; slugs chew holes in foliage and flowers. The plant shows reasonable resilience, but prompt action keeps infestations from weakening it.
How do I get rid of aphids on king of hearts bleeding heart?
Clusters of tiny green or black insects on stems and undersides of leaves; curled, distorted foliage and sticky honeydew residue. Blast off with a strong jet of water on three consecutive days. Persistent colonies: spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, avoiding hot sunny periods. Test on a small patch first as Dicentra can be soap-sensitive.
How do I get rid of slugs on king of hearts bleeding heart?
Ragged holes chewed in leaves and flowers, with silvery slime trails on foliage and nearby soil. Handpick at dusk or after rain. Apply iron phosphate slug pellets (pet-safe) around the crown. Diatomaceous earth as a dry barrier also works during dry spells.
How do I get rid of scale insects on king of hearts bleeding heart?
Waxy tan or pale-brown bumps on stems; foliage yellows and overall plant vigour declines. Scrape off visible scale with a soft brush or butter knife. Follow up with horticultural oil or neem oil spray to smother remaining crawlers.