Pest identification
What's eating my wormwood?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of small insects on shoot tips in spring; sticky honeydew and minor leaf curl
Control: Spray with water jet or insecticidal soap; plants are vigorous enough to outgrow light infestations without treatment
Caterpillars (moth larvae)
Signs: Irregular holes or stripped foliage on some stems; hairy caterpillars visible on leaves
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; wormwood usually recovers rapidly even after defoliation
Keep wormwood pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Wormwood pests — FAQ
What is eating my wormwood?
Wormwood is one of the most pest-resistant garden herbs — its bitter absinthol compounds repel most insects. Aphids are the only pest that reliably colonises it. Occasionally caterpillars of certain moths feed on the foliage. Deer and rabbits typically avoid wormwood completely due to its intense bitterness.
How do I get rid of aphids on wormwood?
Clusters of small insects on shoot tips in spring; sticky honeydew and minor leaf curl Spray with water jet or insecticidal soap; plants are vigorous enough to outgrow light infestations without treatment
How do I get rid of caterpillars (moth larvae) on wormwood?
Irregular holes or stripped foliage on some stems; hairy caterpillars visible on leaves Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; wormwood usually recovers rapidly even after defoliation