Pest identification
What's eating my white sage?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and on stems; sticky honeydew; weakened, yellowing growth.
Control: Dab with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation.
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on soft shoot tips; honeydew and sooty mould; distorted young leaves.
Control: Knock off with a strong water jet; avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser; insecticidal soap if colonies persist.
Spider mites
Signs: Yellow stippling and fine webbing on leaves; most common when plants are stressed by overwatering or poor light.
Control: Keep plants in full sun with good drainage; wash foliage; apply miticide or insecticidal soap if needed.
Keep white sage pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
White Sage pests — FAQ
What is eating my white sage?
White sage (Salvia apiana) is highly drought-adapted and among the most pest-resistant salvias, but mealybugs are its most troublesome pest. Aphids and spider mites can also appear, especially when plants are overwatered or grown in too much shade. Whiteflies occasionally target it in warm-season gardens.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on white sage?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils and on stems; sticky honeydew; weakened, yellowing growth. Dab with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation.
How do I get rid of aphids on white sage?
Dense colonies on soft shoot tips; honeydew and sooty mould; distorted young leaves. Knock off with a strong water jet; avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser; insecticidal soap if colonies persist.
How do I get rid of spider mites on white sage?
Yellow stippling and fine webbing on leaves; most common when plants are stressed by overwatering or poor light. Keep plants in full sun with good drainage; wash foliage; apply miticide or insecticidal soap if needed.