Pest identification
What's eating my provence lavender?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on tender new shoot tips; sticky honeydew residue; minor stunting on stressed plants.
Control: Blast with water; insecticidal soap if colonies are large; avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers.
Spittlebugs / froghoppers
Signs: White foam masses on stems in spring; sap-sucking nymph inside rarely causes significant harm to vigorous plants.
Control: Wash off with water hose; no further treatment required.
Rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana)
Signs: Occasional leaf and flower feeding; adults visible as metallic striped beetles in late summer and autumn.
Control: Hand-pick into soapy water; shake over newspaper; no need for routine spraying.
Keep provence lavender pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Provence Lavender pests — FAQ
What is eating my provence lavender?
Provence lavandin (Lavandula × intermedia 'Provence') shares Grosso's strong aromatic defences and is rarely badly damaged by pests. Aphids and spittlebugs are the most routine problems. Rosemary beetle can infest it but prefers angustifolia cultivars. Whiteflies may appear in greenhouse or pot-grown conditions.
How do I get rid of aphids on provence lavender?
Clusters on tender new shoot tips; sticky honeydew residue; minor stunting on stressed plants. Blast with water; insecticidal soap if colonies are large; avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers.
How do I get rid of spittlebugs / froghoppers on provence lavender?
White foam masses on stems in spring; sap-sucking nymph inside rarely causes significant harm to vigorous plants. Wash off with water hose; no further treatment required.
How do I get rid of rosemary beetle (chrysolina americana) on provence lavender?
Occasional leaf and flower feeding; adults visible as metallic striped beetles in late summer and autumn. Hand-pick into soapy water; shake over newspaper; no need for routine spraying.