Pest identification
What's eating my treasure flower?
Aphids (various species)
Signs: Soft stem tips and undersides of leaves colonised; sticky honeydew; minor distortion in new growth
Control: Water blast or insecticidal soap spray; remove badly infested growing points; avoid excess nitrogen which promotes lush susceptible growth
Thrips (Thrips tabaci and Frankliniella occidentalis)
Signs: Silver-white streaks and flecking on petals and upper leaf surface; flowers look bleached; black frass spots visible
Control: Remove damaged flowers; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; blue sticky traps for monitoring; avoid overhead irrigation
Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Yellow bronzing of leaves; fine webbing under foliage; worst in hot, dry, dusty conditions
Control: Mist foliage and increase air movement; neem oil or miticide spray; avoid water stress
Snails
Signs: Rasp-like holes and irregular notches in leaves and young flower stems; silvery mucus trails
Control: Hand-pick at night; iron phosphate pellets; sharp grit around plant crowns; clear debris
Keep treasure flower pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Treasure flower pests — FAQ
What is eating my treasure flower?
Gazania rigens is a tough, drought-tolerant annual that resists most pests well. Aphids occasionally colonise stems, and thrips scar the showy petals. Leafhoppers and spider mites appear in hot conditions. Snails can rasp young foliage. It is one of the more pest-resistant bedding plants when grown in full sun with good drainage.
How do I get rid of aphids (various species) on treasure flower?
Soft stem tips and undersides of leaves colonised; sticky honeydew; minor distortion in new growth Water blast or insecticidal soap spray; remove badly infested growing points; avoid excess nitrogen which promotes lush susceptible growth
How do I get rid of thrips (thrips tabaci and frankliniella occidentalis) on treasure flower?
Silver-white streaks and flecking on petals and upper leaf surface; flowers look bleached; black frass spots visible Remove damaged flowers; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; blue sticky traps for monitoring; avoid overhead irrigation
How do I get rid of two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae) on treasure flower?
Yellow bronzing of leaves; fine webbing under foliage; worst in hot, dry, dusty conditions Mist foliage and increase air movement; neem oil or miticide spray; avoid water stress
How do I get rid of snails on treasure flower?
Rasp-like holes and irregular notches in leaves and young flower stems; silvery mucus trails Hand-pick at night; iron phosphate pellets; sharp grit around plant crowns; clear debris