Pest identification
What's eating my salvia farinacea 'strata'?
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on shoot tips and flower stems; honeydew deposits lead to sooty mould; growth becomes distorted.
Control: Water jet to remove colonies; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; attract ladybirds and hoverflies.
Whitefly
Signs: Tiny white adults scatter when leaves are disturbed; nymphs cause yellowing and sticky residue on foliage.
Control: Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap applied to leaf undersides twice a week until population drops.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; plants appear bleached or bronzed in dry periods.
Control: Keep soil consistently moist; spray with neem oil or a dedicated miticide; prune out worst growth.
Keep salvia farinacea 'strata' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Salvia farinacea 'Strata' pests — FAQ
What is eating my salvia farinacea 'strata'?
Salvia farinacea 'Strata' is a robust, aromatic annual with good natural pest resistance. Aphids are the most frequent visitor, colonising soft new growth and the bi-colour flower spikes. Whitefly and spider mites pose secondary risks in warm summers. Deer and rabbits generally avoid the strongly scented foliage.
How do I get rid of aphids on salvia farinacea 'strata'?
Dense colonies on shoot tips and flower stems; honeydew deposits lead to sooty mould; growth becomes distorted. Water jet to remove colonies; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; attract ladybirds and hoverflies.
How do I get rid of whitefly on salvia farinacea 'strata'?
Tiny white adults scatter when leaves are disturbed; nymphs cause yellowing and sticky residue on foliage. Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap applied to leaf undersides twice a week until population drops.
How do I get rid of spider mites on salvia farinacea 'strata'?
Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; plants appear bleached or bronzed in dry periods. Keep soil consistently moist; spray with neem oil or a dedicated miticide; prune out worst growth.