Pest identification
What's eating my mexican oregano?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of small insects on shoot tips; honeydew, sooty mould, and distorted soft growth.
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; a strong water jet dislodges most colonies.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and webbing on leaf undersides; worse in hot, dry weather or under glass.
Control: Improve air circulation, mist foliage, and apply neem oil; remove heavily infested shoots.
Whitefly
Signs: Tiny white insects lift from foliage when disturbed; honeydew and sooty mould coat lower leaves.
Control: Use yellow sticky traps to monitor; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, targeting undersides of leaves.
Keep mexican oregano pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Mexican Oregano pests — FAQ
What is eating my mexican oregano?
Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) is a robust, aromatic garden herb that its volatile oils protect from most pests. Aphids are the most likely visitor on tender new growth, and spider mites can colonise plants in hot, dry sites. Whitefly may appear in sheltered gardens. It is generally one of the more trouble-free culinary herbs.
How do I get rid of aphids on mexican oregano?
Clusters of small insects on shoot tips; honeydew, sooty mould, and distorted soft growth. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; a strong water jet dislodges most colonies.
How do I get rid of spider mites on mexican oregano?
Pale stippling and webbing on leaf undersides; worse in hot, dry weather or under glass. Improve air circulation, mist foliage, and apply neem oil; remove heavily infested shoots.
How do I get rid of whitefly on mexican oregano?
Tiny white insects lift from foliage when disturbed; honeydew and sooty mould coat lower leaves. Use yellow sticky traps to monitor; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, targeting undersides of leaves.