Pest identification
What's eating my shiso?
Flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.)
Signs: Tiny round holes peppered across young leaves, sometimes shredding seedling leaves entirely. Adults jump when disturbed.
Control: Cover seedlings with fine insect mesh. Sticky traps catch adults. Diatomaceous earth around the base deters movement.
Aphids
Signs: Small soft-bodied colonies on new stem tips and leaf undersides cause curling and yellowing; mostly an issue in spring flushes of growth.
Control: Blast off with water or apply insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators (ladybirds, lacewings).
Slugs and snails
Signs: Seedlings are particularly vulnerable — stems severed at soil level or large irregular holes chewed in young leaves.
Control: Protect seedlings with ferrous phosphate pellets. Grow on in pots until plants are robust before transplanting to beds.
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on undersides of leaves in hot, dry weather; leaves may turn bronze.
Control: Increase humidity; spray undersides with water. Neem oil or insecticidal soap if population is established.
Keep shiso pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Shiso pests — FAQ
What is eating my shiso?
Shiso is generally a carefree herb but flea beetles, aphids, and spider mites are the most regularly reported pests. Flea beetles pepper young leaves with small holes early in the season; aphids colonise tender new growth; slugs attack seedlings. The plant's strong scent puts off many insects, keeping infestations relatively light overall.
How do I get rid of flea beetles (phyllotreta spp.) on shiso?
Tiny round holes peppered across young leaves, sometimes shredding seedling leaves entirely. Adults jump when disturbed. Cover seedlings with fine insect mesh. Sticky traps catch adults. Diatomaceous earth around the base deters movement.
How do I get rid of aphids on shiso?
Small soft-bodied colonies on new stem tips and leaf undersides cause curling and yellowing; mostly an issue in spring flushes of growth. Blast off with water or apply insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators (ladybirds, lacewings).
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on shiso?
Seedlings are particularly vulnerable — stems severed at soil level or large irregular holes chewed in young leaves. Protect seedlings with ferrous phosphate pellets. Grow on in pots until plants are robust before transplanting to beds.
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus urticae) on shiso?
Pale stippling and fine webbing on undersides of leaves in hot, dry weather; leaves may turn bronze. Increase humidity; spray undersides with water. Neem oil or insecticidal soap if population is established.