Pest identification
What's eating my vietnamese perilla?
Flea beetles
Signs: Clusters of small round holes in leaves of seedlings and young transplants; plants can be badly set back before they establish.
Control: Use floating row cover or fine mesh from planting; apply kaolin clay; sticky traps at ground level help reduce adult numbers.
Aphids
Signs: Soft-bodied insects massing on growing tips; foliage becomes sticky and may cup or yellow; sooty mould may follow.
Control: Water jet, insecticidal soap, or neem oil spray; release predatory lacewing larvae under cover; avoid excessive nitrogen feeding.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Large irregular holes in mature leaves after rainfall; mucus trails left on leaves and soil; particularly damaging in shaded, moist beds.
Control: Evening hand-picking; ferric phosphate bait scattered around plants; improve drainage to reduce slug-friendly moist hiding spots.
Keep vietnamese perilla pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Vietnamese Perilla pests — FAQ
What is eating my vietnamese perilla?
Vietnamese Perilla shares its close relative green shiso's natural pest resistance. Flea beetles are the most damaging pest on seedlings and young plants, riddling leaves with tiny holes. Aphids and spider mites can appear in dry conditions. Slugs target lush leaves in cool, wet weather. The strong scent generally deters deer and rabbits.
How do I get rid of flea beetles on vietnamese perilla?
Clusters of small round holes in leaves of seedlings and young transplants; plants can be badly set back before they establish. Use floating row cover or fine mesh from planting; apply kaolin clay; sticky traps at ground level help reduce adult numbers.
How do I get rid of aphids on vietnamese perilla?
Soft-bodied insects massing on growing tips; foliage becomes sticky and may cup or yellow; sooty mould may follow. Water jet, insecticidal soap, or neem oil spray; release predatory lacewing larvae under cover; avoid excessive nitrogen feeding.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on vietnamese perilla?
Large irregular holes in mature leaves after rainfall; mucus trails left on leaves and soil; particularly damaging in shaded, moist beds. Evening hand-picking; ferric phosphate bait scattered around plants; improve drainage to reduce slug-friendly moist hiding spots.