Pest identification
What's eating my schizanthus pinnatus 'angel wings'?
Aphids
Signs: Dense clusters on tender stems and flower buds; distortion, honeydew, and sooty mould
Control: Spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove heavily infested growing tips by hand
Slugs & snails
Signs: Seedlings consumed at soil level; ragged holes in young foliage; silvery slime trails
Control: Scatter iron phosphate pellets at planting; use copper barriers on containers; hand-pick at night
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing and pale speckling on leaves, especially on plants grown under glass in warm, dry conditions
Control: Raise humidity; mist foliage; apply neem oil or soap spray targeting leaf undersides
Keep schizanthus pinnatus 'angel wings' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Schizanthus pinnatus 'Angel Wings' pests — FAQ
What is eating my schizanthus pinnatus 'angel wings'?
Schizanthus 'Angel Wings' is a delicate cool-season annual most vulnerable to aphids, which quickly colonise its soft stems and intricate flowers, and to slugs and snails on young seedlings. Spider mites may appear under glass or in warm spells. Grow in well-ventilated spots, water at the base, and check weekly.
How do I get rid of aphids on schizanthus pinnatus 'angel wings'?
Dense clusters on tender stems and flower buds; distortion, honeydew, and sooty mould Spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove heavily infested growing tips by hand
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on schizanthus pinnatus 'angel wings'?
Seedlings consumed at soil level; ragged holes in young foliage; silvery slime trails Scatter iron phosphate pellets at planting; use copper barriers on containers; hand-pick at night
How do I get rid of spider mites on schizanthus pinnatus 'angel wings'?
Fine webbing and pale speckling on leaves, especially on plants grown under glass in warm, dry conditions Raise humidity; mist foliage; apply neem oil or soap spray targeting leaf undersides