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Peach leaved bellflower · Campanula persicifolia

Why are there holes in my Peach-leaved bellflower leaves?

Seeing holes in your bellflower foliage is usually the work of hungry slugs or snails. These pests love the moist, cool environment this plant enjoys, so check under the leaves first.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for pests.
  2. Look for slime trails on the soil or stems.
  3. Check the plant at night with a flashlight.

Likely causes

  1. Slugs and snails

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see irregular holes in the leaves and perhaps a shiny slime trail nearby. They often feed at night, so you might not see them during the day.

    What to do: Handpick them off the plant in the evening or early morning. You can also set out shallow dishes of beer or use iron phosphate bait around the base of the plant to deter them.

  2. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: Look for tiny green or black insects clustering on the new growth or flower buds. They cause the leaves to look distorted or sticky.

    What to do: Spray the plant with a strong stream of water to knock them off. If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap once a week until they are gone.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your peach leaved bellflower

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.

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When to worry

It is serious if the pests are eating the flower buds before they open. A few small holes on older leaves are usually not a threat to the plant's health.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around your bellflowers clear of debris and mulch to remove hiding spots for slugs. Water in the morning so the soil surface dries out by nightfall.

Peach leaved bellflower: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your peach leaved bellflower 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.

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Questions people ask

Will these pests kill my bellflower?
Usually no, but they can make the plant look very ragged. If they eat all the foliage, the plant will struggle to store energy for next year.
Are chemical pesticides safe to use?
Try to avoid harsh chemicals that kill beneficial insects. Stick to organic methods like handpicking or iron phosphate baits.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Peach leaved bellflower

Back to the Peach leaved bellflower guide

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.