What's eating my lamb's ear?

Lamb's Ear rarely suffers serious insect pest damage — its dense, woolly silver foliage deters most chewing insects. The biggest threats are slugs on young leaves and vine weevils attacking roots. Rabbits occasionally sample fresh growth. In humid climates, crown rot from fungal disease is often a bigger problem than any pest.

Holes in young leaves and soft new growth; slime trails visible; damage worst in wet springs Iron phosphate pellets; grit or sharp sand mulch around crowns; hand-pick at night after rain

Notched leaf edges from adult feeding at night; grubs eat roots causing sudden wilting and plant collapse Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes to moist soil in late summer; inspect roots when repotting; use vine-weevil traps

Fresh silver rosettes nipped off at the base; repeated browsing prevents establishment of new plants Low wire mesh guards around young plants; rabbit-deterrent planting around the border perimeter