Pest identification
What's eating my sea holly?
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied insects colonise new shoots, causing sticky honeydew and slight leaf curl.
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or a strong water jet; encourage ladybirds and lacewings as natural predators.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular holes in emerging foliage and seedlings; slime trails visible at night or after rain.
Control: Apply iron phosphate slug pellets around young plants; use beer traps or collect by hand at dusk.
Rabbits
Signs: Stems and leaves cleanly bitten off at ground level, particularly on young transplants.
Control: Protect new plants with wire cloches; mature spiny growth is largely rabbit-deterrent.
Keep sea holly pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Sea Holly pests — FAQ
What is eating my sea holly?
Sea Holly (Eryngium planum) is highly resistant to pests thanks to its spiny, leathery foliage. Aphids occasionally attack new growth, and slugs may nibble seedlings. Its main wildlife threat is rabbits grazing young plants. Mature, established plants are largely trouble-free in garden borders.
How do I get rid of aphids on sea holly?
Soft-bodied insects colonise new shoots, causing sticky honeydew and slight leaf curl. Spray with insecticidal soap or a strong water jet; encourage ladybirds and lacewings as natural predators.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on sea holly?
Irregular holes in emerging foliage and seedlings; slime trails visible at night or after rain. Apply iron phosphate slug pellets around young plants; use beer traps or collect by hand at dusk.
How do I get rid of rabbits on sea holly?
Stems and leaves cleanly bitten off at ground level, particularly on young transplants. Protect new plants with wire cloches; mature spiny growth is largely rabbit-deterrent.