What's eating my lavender?

Lavender is remarkably pest-resistant, and its oils actively repel many insects. Spittlebugs (froghoppers) are the most commonly noticed nuisance in both the UK and US. Aphids occasionally cluster on soft growth. Rabbits and deer generally avoid it. The bigger threats are cultural — poor drainage, wet soil, and overcrowding cause far more damage than pests.

White frothy blobs at stem nodes; nymphs inside sap-feed causing minor shoot distortion Jet off with water — plants almost always recover without further treatment; no chemical control is warranted for healthy lavender

Small soft insects on young tip growth; slight leaf curl and sticky deposit Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; hand-squash small colonies; natural predators usually keep levels low in open gardens

Metallic green-and-purple adults and grey larvae strip leaves and soft stems, especially in autumn and spring Hand-pick adults and larvae (they drop when disturbed — lay newspaper underneath); use pyrethrin spray if infestation is severe; check plants regularly October–April