Pest identification
What's eating my pincushion flower?
Aphids
Signs: Greenfly clusters on new shoots and beneath leaves; sticky honeydew encourages sooty mold.
Control: Remove by hand or spray with insecticidal soap; plant near nectar-rich flowers to attract aphid predators.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes in young basal leaves and seedlings eaten off at soil level, mainly in spring.
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets; avoid heavy mulching directly around the crown where slugs hide.
Caterpillars
Signs: Irregular holes in leaves and occasionally flower buds, with frass (droppings) visible nearby.
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray for persistent infestations.
Keep pincushion flower pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats small scabious — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats pincushion flower — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common pincushion flower problems & fixes
- Pincushion Flower watering schedule
- Pincushion Flower light requirements
- Full pincushion flower care guide
Pincushion Flower pests — FAQ
What is eating my pincushion flower?
Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa columbaria) is susceptible to aphids on flower stems and slugs on young growth. Caterpillars of certain moths occasionally feed on foliage. Powdery mildew is a common secondary problem in dry spells. Rabbits may browse young plants. Overall a low-pest perennial when grown in well-drained, sunny positions.
How do I get rid of aphids on pincushion flower?
Greenfly clusters on new shoots and beneath leaves; sticky honeydew encourages sooty mold. Remove by hand or spray with insecticidal soap; plant near nectar-rich flowers to attract aphid predators.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on pincushion flower?
Holes in young basal leaves and seedlings eaten off at soil level, mainly in spring. Apply iron phosphate pellets; avoid heavy mulching directly around the crown where slugs hide.
How do I get rid of caterpillars on pincushion flower?
Irregular holes in leaves and occasionally flower buds, with frass (droppings) visible nearby. Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray for persistent infestations.