Pest identification
What's eating my sage?
Spittlebug / froghopper (Philaenus spumarius)
Signs: Blobs of white frothy 'cuckoo spit' on stems; nymphs inside sap-suck causing distorted, weakened shoots
Control: Blast froth and nymphs off with a strong water jet; rarely causes serious harm so no chemical treatment is usually needed
Aphids
Signs: Soft clusters on shoot tips; stunted new growth and sticky honeydew
Control: Squash by hand or spray with insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds, lacewings, and hoverflies
Slugs and snails
Signs: Young transplants chewed at soil level; irregular holes in leaves of established plants after rain
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets at planting time; use gritty mulch around stems; check and remove molluscs at night
Keep sage pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Sage pests — FAQ
What is eating my sage?
Sage's strong oils deter most insects, but spittlebugs (froghoppers) are a classic UK and US nuisance that hide in frothy foam on stems. Aphids and capsid bugs also attack. Slugs target young transplants. Powdery mildew is the biggest non-pest threat. Good drainage and hard pruning after flowering keep plants healthy.
How do I get rid of spittlebug / froghopper (philaenus spumarius) on sage?
Blobs of white frothy 'cuckoo spit' on stems; nymphs inside sap-suck causing distorted, weakened shoots Blast froth and nymphs off with a strong water jet; rarely causes serious harm so no chemical treatment is usually needed
How do I get rid of aphids on sage?
Soft clusters on shoot tips; stunted new growth and sticky honeydew Squash by hand or spray with insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds, lacewings, and hoverflies
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on sage?
Young transplants chewed at soil level; irregular holes in leaves of established plants after rain Apply iron phosphate pellets at planting time; use gritty mulch around stems; check and remove molluscs at night