Pest identification
What's eating my liatris spicata?
Rabbits
Signs: Stems and foliage browsed to stubs, especially on young plants; plants may be grazed repeatedly through the season.
Control: Install wire mesh guards or rabbit-proof fencing; use rabbit repellent sprays on emerging growth; plant in raised beds where browsing is chronic.
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on flower spikes and upper stem leaves; sticky honeydew and slight distortion of buds.
Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if populations persist; encourage ladybirds and hoverflies.
Thrips
Signs: Silver-streaked or stippled flower petals and leaves; visible in dry, hot conditions; tiny fast-moving insects in blooms.
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad in the evening; remove and destroy heavily infested flower spikes.
Keep liatris spicata pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Liatris spicata pests — FAQ
What is eating my liatris spicata?
Liatris spicata is mostly trouble-free but aphids cluster on flower spikes and rabbits readily browse the foliage and stems to the ground, which is the primary concern in gardens. Thrips occasionally damage flowers in hot dry summers. Deer will occasionally sample it but rarely cause severe damage.
How do I get rid of rabbits on liatris spicata?
Stems and foliage browsed to stubs, especially on young plants; plants may be grazed repeatedly through the season. Install wire mesh guards or rabbit-proof fencing; use rabbit repellent sprays on emerging growth; plant in raised beds where browsing is chronic.
How do I get rid of aphids on liatris spicata?
Colonies on flower spikes and upper stem leaves; sticky honeydew and slight distortion of buds. Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if populations persist; encourage ladybirds and hoverflies.
How do I get rid of thrips on liatris spicata?
Silver-streaked or stippled flower petals and leaves; visible in dry, hot conditions; tiny fast-moving insects in blooms. Spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad in the evening; remove and destroy heavily infested flower spikes.