Pest identification
What's eating my summer savory cuban?
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew and curled or yellowed soft shoot tips where colonies cluster.
Control: Blast off with a strong water stream; spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil if colonies persist.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on undersides of leaves; pale, stippled foliage, especially in hot dry weather.
Control: Increase humidity, mist foliage, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly until clear.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular holes in low-growing stems and leaves; slime trails visible in morning.
Control: Remove by hand at night; use iron-phosphate slug pellets around the base of the plant.
Keep summer savory cuban pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Summer Savory Cuban pests — FAQ
What is eating my summer savory cuban?
Cuban summer savory (Satureja douglasii / yerba buena) is a low-maintenance herb that rarely attracts serious pests. Aphids occasionally cluster on soft new growth, and spider mites can appear on stressed plants in hot, dry spells. The plant's aromatic oils deter most insects. Good air circulation and consistent moisture keep problems minimal.
How do I get rid of aphids on summer savory cuban?
Sticky honeydew and curled or yellowed soft shoot tips where colonies cluster. Blast off with a strong water stream; spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil if colonies persist.
How do I get rid of spider mites on summer savory cuban?
Fine webbing on undersides of leaves; pale, stippled foliage, especially in hot dry weather. Increase humidity, mist foliage, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly until clear.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on summer savory cuban?
Irregular holes in low-growing stems and leaves; slime trails visible in morning. Remove by hand at night; use iron-phosphate slug pellets around the base of the plant.