Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Look closely at the leaves for tiny insects.
- Check for silvery or white streaks on the foliage.
- Inspect the bulb base for soft spots or decay.
Likely causes
Thrips
Most likelyHow to tell: You see silvery streaks on the leaves and the growth looks distorted.
What to do: Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water to knock the insects off. Use insecticidal soap if the infestation persists.
Onion Maggots
PossibleHow to tell: The plant wilts and the bulb shows signs of rot or tunneling.
What to do: Remove and destroy any infested plants immediately. Do not compost these plants, as the larvae can survive.
Find out what's wrong with your welsh onion
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If you see widespread damage or stunted growth, you need to act fast to save the rest of your crop. Small numbers of thrips are manageable, but maggots are usually fatal to the plant.
Stopping it coming back
Rotate your crops every year and keep the area free of weeds that might harbor pests. Use row covers early in the season to block flies.
Welsh onion: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your welsh onion and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Are thrips harmful to humans?
- No, thrips are not harmful to humans. They only damage the plant tissue.
- Can I use pesticides?
- It is better to use physical barriers like row covers or gentle soaps. Since you are eating the leaves, avoid harsh chemicals.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Welsh onion
- Why are my spring onion leaves turning yellow?
- Why are there spots on my Welsh onion leaves?
- Why is my Welsh onion growing tall and floppy?
- Why are my spring onions drooping?
- Why are the tips of my Welsh onion leaves turning brown?
- Why is my Welsh onion suffering from root rot?
- Why are my Welsh onion leaves curling?
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.