Pest identification
What's eating my lobelia cardinalis?
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on new shoot tips and flower stems; sticky honeydew, sooty mould, and distorted buds
Control: Knock off with a water jet; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; attract natural predators by planting companion flowers
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in young foliage and newly planted specimens; plants can be entirely consumed if unprotected
Control: Iron phosphate pellets; copper tape around pots; hand-pick at night; grit or eggshell mulch as a deterrent
Deer and rabbits
Signs: Browsing of stems and leaves, especially in early-season when growth is lush and palatable
Control: Wire mesh guards around young plants; deer repellent sprays; fence vulnerable borders; plant in more open, visible areas to deter rabbits
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on foliage, mainly in hot dry conditions or under glass
Control: Keep plants well-watered and in moist conditions; neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; mist foliage in dry weather
Keep lobelia cardinalis pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Lobelia cardinalis pests — FAQ
What is eating my lobelia cardinalis?
Cardinal flower attracts hummingbirds and bees but also faces real pest pressure. Aphids are the most common problem, clustering on tender stems and flower buds. Slugs and snails shred young plants in spring, rabbits and deer browse the foliage, and spider mites can attack plants grown in hot, dry spots.
How do I get rid of aphids on lobelia cardinalis?
Colonies on new shoot tips and flower stems; sticky honeydew, sooty mould, and distorted buds Knock off with a water jet; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; attract natural predators by planting companion flowers
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on lobelia cardinalis?
Ragged holes in young foliage and newly planted specimens; plants can be entirely consumed if unprotected Iron phosphate pellets; copper tape around pots; hand-pick at night; grit or eggshell mulch as a deterrent
How do I get rid of deer and rabbits on lobelia cardinalis?
Browsing of stems and leaves, especially in early-season when growth is lush and palatable Wire mesh guards around young plants; deer repellent sprays; fence vulnerable borders; plant in more open, visible areas to deter rabbits
How do I get rid of spider mites on lobelia cardinalis?
Pale stippling and fine webbing on foliage, mainly in hot dry conditions or under glass Keep plants well-watered and in moist conditions; neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; mist foliage in dry weather