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Pink Lady's Slipper · Cypripedium acaule

Why are there pests on my Pink Lady's Slipper?

Slugs and snails love the tender foliage of your Pink Lady's Slipper. Check the undersides of leaves and the soil surface for these visitors.

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the leaves for slime trails.
  2. Look under the pot for hiding snails.
  3. Check the plant at night with a flashlight.

Likely causes

  1. Slug infestation

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see irregular holes in the leaves or missing chunks from the flower buds. Look for shiny slime trails on the leaves or soil.

    What to do: Hand pick slugs off the plant in the evening when they are active. You can also place a shallow dish of beer nearby to trap them.

  2. Snail activity

    Possible

    How to tell: Small, circular holes appear on the leaves overnight. You may find small shells hiding near the base of the plant during the day.

    What to do: Clear away any damp debris or mulch near the base of the plant. Use copper tape around the rim of the pot to deter them from climbing up.

When to worry

If the flower buds are being eaten, the plant will not bloom this season. A few small holes on older leaves are usually not a threat to the plant's life.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around your plant clean and free of decaying organic matter.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your pink lady's slipper.

This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf 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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Questions people ask

Are these pests harmful to the whole plant?
They can be if they eat the new growth or flower buds. If they only nibble a few older leaves, the plant will survive just fine.
Should I use chemical pesticides?
It is better to avoid harsh chemicals on delicate orchids. Physical barriers and manual removal are much safer for your plant.

More problems with Pink Lady's Slipper

Back to the Pink Lady's Slipper guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.