Pest identification
What's eating my salvia splendens 'sizzler burgundy'?
Whitefly
Signs: Clouds of tiny white insects on leaf undersides; yellow stippling, sticky honeydew, and sooty mould on foliage.
Control: Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spray on leaf undersides; remove heavily affected shoots.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on stem tips and flower spikes; distorted shoot tips and sticky residue attracting ants.
Control: Blast with water; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage parasitic wasps and ladybirds.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale, speckled foliage with fine webbing; most common during hot, dry weather or when plants are water-stressed.
Control: Increase watering regularity; spray neem oil or miticide on undersides of leaves; improve air circulation.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in leaves of newly planted transplants; slime trails visible at soil level.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets at planting time; hand-pick after dark; avoid overwatering that keeps soil surface wet.
Keep salvia splendens 'sizzler burgundy' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats salvia — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common salvia splendens 'sizzler burgundy' problems & fixes
- Salvia splendens 'Sizzler Burgundy' watering schedule
- Salvia splendens 'Sizzler Burgundy' light requirements
- Full salvia splendens 'sizzler burgundy' care guide
Salvia splendens 'Sizzler Burgundy' pests — FAQ
What is eating my salvia splendens 'sizzler burgundy'?
Salvia splendens 'Sizzler Burgundy' is relatively pest-resistant thanks to aromatic foliage that deters many insects and is largely ignored by deer and rabbits. Whitefly and aphids are the main threats. Spider mites appear in drought stress. Slugs occasionally shred young transplants before the plant establishes.
How do I get rid of whitefly on salvia splendens 'sizzler burgundy'?
Clouds of tiny white insects on leaf undersides; yellow stippling, sticky honeydew, and sooty mould on foliage. Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spray on leaf undersides; remove heavily affected shoots.
How do I get rid of aphids on salvia splendens 'sizzler burgundy'?
Clusters on stem tips and flower spikes; distorted shoot tips and sticky residue attracting ants. Blast with water; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage parasitic wasps and ladybirds.
How do I get rid of spider mites on salvia splendens 'sizzler burgundy'?
Pale, speckled foliage with fine webbing; most common during hot, dry weather or when plants are water-stressed. Increase watering regularity; spray neem oil or miticide on undersides of leaves; improve air circulation.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on salvia splendens 'sizzler burgundy'?
Ragged holes in leaves of newly planted transplants; slime trails visible at soil level. Iron phosphate pellets at planting time; hand-pick after dark; avoid overwatering that keeps soil surface wet.