What's eating my salvia?

Salvia splendens (scarlet sage) is targeted primarily by slugs and snails on young transplants and by aphids on tender growth. Spider mites can cause stippling in hot, dry spells. Leafhoppers suck sap and spread phytoplasma in some regions. Deer typically avoid salvias due to aromatic foliage. Keeping plants well-watered and avoiding excessive nitrogen reduces aphid and mite pressure.

Young transplants ragged or eaten to the soil line overnight; irregular holes in lower leaves of established plants; slime trails present. Apply iron phosphate slug bait at transplanting. Remove debris and thick mulch near stems. Hand-pick at night after watering.

Soft colonies on shoot tips and flower spikes; distorted new growth, sticky honeydew, and sooty mould in heavy infestations. Spray with insecticidal soap or a strong water jet. Avoid high-nitrogen fertiliser, which promotes the lush soft growth aphids prefer.

Pale stippling and bronzing across leaves, often from the bottom of the plant upward; fine webbing under leaves in severe cases. Water plants regularly to reduce drought stress; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to leaf undersides. Increase air circulation between plants.