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Common centaury · Centaurium erythraea

Are there bugs on my common centaury?

It is less common for this plant to get pests, which usually show up when the plant is stressed by poor light or incorrect watering. Check the undersides of the leaves for any tiny insects or webbing.

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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 with a flashlight.
  2. Look for sticky residue on the stems.
  3. Check if the plant is near other infested plants.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: You see small green or black insects clustering on new growth or flower buds.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth or spray them gently with water. If they persist, use a mild insecticidal soap once a week until they are gone.

  2. Spider mites

    Possible

    How to tell: Fine webbing appears between the leaves and the foliage looks speckled or dull.

    What to do: Increase the humidity around the plant and wash the leaves thoroughly. Keep the plant away from other greenery to prevent the mites from spreading.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common centaury

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

Worry if you see large colonies of insects or if the plant starts losing leaves rapidly. Small numbers can usually be managed with simple cleaning.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy with proper sunlight and water, and inspect it regularly when you water.

Common centaury: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common centaury 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

Can I use neem oil on this plant?
Yes, neem oil is effective, but test it on a single leaf first. Apply it in the evening to avoid burning the leaves in the sun.
How do I stop pests from coming back?
Keep the plant clean and ensure it has good air circulation. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can attract certain pests.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Common centaury

Back to the Common centaury 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.