Can I use salt to kill the slugs?

No, salt will damage your soil and harm your plant. Stick to physical barriers or safe baits.

Do I need to spray chemicals?

Usually not. Physical removal and simple traps are very effective for this plant.

Jack-in-the-pulpit: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Go out at night with a flashlight to see what is feeding.
Look for silvery slime trails on the leaves or soil.
Check under the leaves and in the mulch for hiding pests.

Likely causes

Slugs
Most likely
How to tell: You will see irregular holes in the leaves and shiny slime trails on the soil or foliage. They often target young, tender growth in early spring.
What to do: Hand pick the slugs off the plant at night using a flashlight. You can also place shallow dishes of beer near the base of the plant to trap them. Use iron phosphate slug bait around the perimeter if the infestation is heavy.
Snails
Possible
How to tell: Similar to slugs, snails leave behind ragged holes and slime trails. You might find them hiding under the leaves or in the mulch during the day.
What to do: Clear away mulch or debris near the base of the plant where they hide. Hand pick them off during the evening hours. Use copper tape around the base of the plant to deter them from climbing up.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your jack-in-the-pulpit

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.

When to worry

Worry if the plant is being defoliated so quickly that it cannot photosynthesize. Minor nibbling is common and rarely fatal to an established plant.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a tidy garden bed and remove hiding spots like piles of leaves or wood near your plants.

Jack-in-the-pulpit: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your jack-in-the-pulpit 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I use salt to kill the slugs?: No, salt will damage your soil and harm your plant. Stick to physical barriers or safe baits.
Do I need to spray chemicals?: Usually not. Physical removal and simple traps are very effective for this plant.

Guides to these causes

Slugs and Snails

What is eating my Jack-in-the-pulpit leaves?