Pest identification
What's eating my salvia 'may night'?
Aphids
Signs: Small colonies on tender new shoots and flower spikes in spring; mild leaf curl and sticky residue.
Control: Knock off with a firm water spray. Natural predators (ladybirds, parasitic wasps) usually control populations quickly. Apply insecticidal soap if colonies persist.
Leafhoppers
Signs: Tiny pale stippling across leaf surfaces; adults leap when disturbed. Heavy feeding causes general yellowing.
Control: Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray on leaf undersides reduces populations. Remove weedy vegetation around plants where leafhoppers overwinter.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling and yellowing during hot dry spells; webbing visible under magnification.
Control: Water plants consistently to reduce stress. Spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil in the morning.
Keep salvia 'may night' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Salvia 'May Night' pests — FAQ
What is eating my salvia 'may night'?
Salvia 'May Night' is remarkably pest-resistant — its aromatic foliage deters many insects and deer rarely browse it. Aphids occasionally colonise young shoot tips in spring, and spider mites may appear on stressed plants in drought. Leafhoppers can cause stippling. Overall, this is one of the least troubled garden perennials.
How do I get rid of aphids on salvia 'may night'?
Small colonies on tender new shoots and flower spikes in spring; mild leaf curl and sticky residue. Knock off with a firm water spray. Natural predators (ladybirds, parasitic wasps) usually control populations quickly. Apply insecticidal soap if colonies persist.
How do I get rid of leafhoppers on salvia 'may night'?
Tiny pale stippling across leaf surfaces; adults leap when disturbed. Heavy feeding causes general yellowing. Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray on leaf undersides reduces populations. Remove weedy vegetation around plants where leafhoppers overwinter.
How do I get rid of spider mites on salvia 'may night'?
Fine stippling and yellowing during hot dry spells; webbing visible under magnification. Water plants consistently to reduce stress. Spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil in the morning.