Pest identification
What's eating my spanish lavender?
Rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana)
Signs: Adults and larvae chew leaves and ornamental 'flag' bracts; metallic striped beetles visible from late summer.
Control: Hand-pick into soapy water; tap onto newspaper; avoid chemical sprays to protect pollinators visiting blooms.
Aphids
Signs: Sap-sucking colonies on new growth; honeydew; distorted soft shoot tips, especially on over-watered or over-fed plants.
Control: Strong water jet; encourage beneficial predators; insecticidal soap if necessary.
Spittlebugs / froghoppers
Signs: White foamy masses in leaf axils in spring; nymph sucks sap but rarely harms well-grown plants.
Control: Remove with water; no chemical treatment needed.
Keep spanish lavender pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Spanish Lavender pests — FAQ
What is eating my spanish lavender?
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is ornamental and moderately pest-resistant, though its broader leaves and tenderness make it more vulnerable than angustifolia types. Rosemary beetle, aphids, and spittlebugs are the primary pests. Root rot is a bigger killer than insects, so good drainage matters most.
How do I get rid of rosemary beetle (chrysolina americana) on spanish lavender?
Adults and larvae chew leaves and ornamental 'flag' bracts; metallic striped beetles visible from late summer. Hand-pick into soapy water; tap onto newspaper; avoid chemical sprays to protect pollinators visiting blooms.
How do I get rid of aphids on spanish lavender?
Sap-sucking colonies on new growth; honeydew; distorted soft shoot tips, especially on over-watered or over-fed plants. Strong water jet; encourage beneficial predators; insecticidal soap if necessary.
How do I get rid of spittlebugs / froghoppers on spanish lavender?
White foamy masses in leaf axils in spring; nymph sucks sap but rarely harms well-grown plants. Remove with water; no chemical treatment needed.