Pest identification
What's eating my purple toadflax?
Aphids
Signs: Soft colonies on shoot tips and flower spikes cause distortion and sticky honeydew; may spread plant viruses.
Control: Water jet; insecticidal soap or neem oil; the plant's pollinator visitors naturally attract aphid predators.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on leaves in hot, dry spells; leaf undersides show fine webbing in heavy infestations.
Control: Water spray; neem oil or miticide; improve air circulation around dense clumps.
Flea beetles
Signs: Small round holes in leaves on young plants; adults jump when disturbed.
Control: Fine mesh over establishing plants; diatomaceous earth around plant bases.
Keep purple toadflax pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Purple toadflax pests — FAQ
What is eating my purple toadflax?
Purple toadflax is a robust, self-seeding perennial with few pest problems. Aphids are the most common culprit, colonising stem tips. Spider mites can appear in hot, dry summers. The plant's value as a nectar source means natural predator populations build up nearby and often suppress pests without intervention.
How do I get rid of aphids on purple toadflax?
Soft colonies on shoot tips and flower spikes cause distortion and sticky honeydew; may spread plant viruses. Water jet; insecticidal soap or neem oil; the plant's pollinator visitors naturally attract aphid predators.
How do I get rid of spider mites on purple toadflax?
Fine pale stippling on leaves in hot, dry spells; leaf undersides show fine webbing in heavy infestations. Water spray; neem oil or miticide; improve air circulation around dense clumps.
How do I get rid of flea beetles on purple toadflax?
Small round holes in leaves on young plants; adults jump when disturbed. Fine mesh over establishing plants; diatomaceous earth around plant bases.