Pest identification
What's eating my lungwort pulmonaria?
Powdery mildew
Signs: White or grey powdery coating on leaf surfaces in summer, especially after dry spells or in crowded plantings
Control: Cut foliage to the ground after flowering to encourage fresh growth; improve spacing for airflow; spray with diluted milk solution (40% milk, 60% water) or neem oil
Slugs & snails
Signs: Ragged holes chewed in leaves in spring; silvery mucus trails left on foliage and surrounding soil
Control: Use iron phosphate pellets around plants; set beer traps nearby; hand-pick at dusk; avoid overwatering which creates ideal slug habitat
Aphids
Signs: Sticky, distorted new shoots; clusters of small soft insects visible on stem tips and leaf undersides
Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage aphid predators by avoiding broad-spectrum insecticides
Keep lungwort pulmonaria pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Lungwort Pulmonaria pests — FAQ
What is eating my lungwort pulmonaria?
Lungwort is generally trouble-free, but slugs can damage the hairy, spotted leaves in spring, and powdery mildew is the most common problem in summer heat or drought. Aphids occasionally feed on new growth. Good air circulation, consistent moisture, and prompt removal of infected leaves keep plants healthy.
How do I get rid of powdery mildew on lungwort pulmonaria?
White or grey powdery coating on leaf surfaces in summer, especially after dry spells or in crowded plantings Cut foliage to the ground after flowering to encourage fresh growth; improve spacing for airflow; spray with diluted milk solution (40% milk, 60% water) or neem oil
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on lungwort pulmonaria?
Ragged holes chewed in leaves in spring; silvery mucus trails left on foliage and surrounding soil Use iron phosphate pellets around plants; set beer traps nearby; hand-pick at dusk; avoid overwatering which creates ideal slug habitat
How do I get rid of aphids on lungwort pulmonaria?
Sticky, distorted new shoots; clusters of small soft insects visible on stem tips and leaf undersides Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage aphid predators by avoiding broad-spectrum insecticides