Pest identification
What's eating my cape leadwort (blue plumbago)?
Aphids
Signs: Dense clusters on flower buds and new tips; sticky honeydew; distorted or stunted growth
Control: Knock off with water; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every week until populations collapse
Spider mites
Signs: Yellow speckled leaves; webbing on undersides, especially in hot dry weather
Control: Spray foliage thoroughly with water in the morning; follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days
Whitefly
Signs: Tiny white insects fly from plant when disturbed; sooty mold on leaves; yellow, weakened foliage
Control: Use yellow sticky traps; spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap; prune dense stems to improve airflow
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft waxy bumps on stems; plant weakens gradually; honeydew and sooty mold
Control: Scrub off with soapy water and a brush; apply horticultural oil in early spring; monitor monthly
Keep cape leadwort (blue plumbago) pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Cape Leadwort (Blue Plumbago) pests — FAQ
What is eating my cape leadwort (blue plumbago)?
Cape leadwort is most troubled by aphids and spider mites in warm, dry conditions. Whitefly can colonize dense growth, and scale sometimes appears on woody stems. Regularly trim congested growth for good air circulation. Plumbago is relatively tough — catch problems early and it recovers quickly with a soap or neem treatment.
How do I get rid of aphids on cape leadwort (blue plumbago)?
Dense clusters on flower buds and new tips; sticky honeydew; distorted or stunted growth Knock off with water; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every week until populations collapse
How do I get rid of spider mites on cape leadwort (blue plumbago)?
Yellow speckled leaves; webbing on undersides, especially in hot dry weather Spray foliage thoroughly with water in the morning; follow with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days
How do I get rid of whitefly on cape leadwort (blue plumbago)?
Tiny white insects fly from plant when disturbed; sooty mold on leaves; yellow, weakened foliage Use yellow sticky traps; spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap; prune dense stems to improve airflow
How do I get rid of scale insects on cape leadwort (blue plumbago)?
Hard or soft waxy bumps on stems; plant weakens gradually; honeydew and sooty mold Scrub off with soapy water and a brush; apply horticultural oil in early spring; monitor monthly