What's eating my pelargonium 'fragrans variegatum'?

Pelargonium 'Fragrans Variegatum' shares pest pressures with the plain species — aphids, whitefly, spider mites, and vine weevil. The variegated leaves offer no extra pest resistance. Aphids on new growth are the most frequent issue, particularly when plants are brought indoors over winter.

Clusters of soft insects on shoot tips; honeydew residue, leaf curl, and reduced vigour. Spray with water jet, insecticidal soap, or neem oil; use biological controls such as Aphidius parasitic wasps in enclosed growing spaces.

White flies cloud up from foliage when disturbed; sticky yellow leaves and sooty mould deposits. Yellow sticky traps; pyrethrin or insecticidal soap spray applied every 5–7 days.

Fine webbing and pale speckling on leaf surfaces; foliage bronzes in warm, dry indoor rooms. Raise humidity; apply neem oil spray; introduce predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis.

Notched leaf edges from night-feeding adults; plants in pots suddenly collapse as larvae eat the root system. Apply nematode drench in late summer; physically remove grubs when repotting in spring.