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Great Willowherb · Epilobium hirsutum

What are these tiny bugs on my Great Willowherb?

If you see clusters of tiny insects on the new growth of your Great Willowherb, you likely have aphids. These pests love to suck the sap from the tender parts of the plant.

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

Check these first

  1. Examine the tips of the new growth for clusters of tiny bugs.
  2. Check the undersides of leaves for sticky residue.
  3. Look for fine webbing between the stems.

Likely causes

  1. Aphid Infestation

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small green, black, or pink insects clustered on the tips of stems and undersides of leaves. The leaves may look curled or sticky from honeydew.

    What to do: Spray the aphids off with a sharp stream of water from your garden hose. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap directly to the bugs every 5 to 7 days.

  2. Spider Mites

    Possible

    How to tell: Look for fine webbing between the leaves and stems. The leaves might look stippled or pale.

    What to do: Increase the humidity around the plant by misting it or ensuring the soil stays consistently damp. Use a strong spray of water to wash the mites off the foliage.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your great willowherb

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 the plant starts to look stunted or if the leaves are curling severely. A few aphids are usually managed by natural predators like ladybugs.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy with consistent moisture and check it weekly for early signs of pests.

Great Willowherb: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your great willowherb 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 just pick them off?
Yes, if the infestation is small, you can wipe them off with a damp cloth or your fingers.
Why do they keep coming back?
Aphids are common in gardens. If they return, check for nearby ant colonies, as ants often protect aphids.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Great Willowherb

Back to the Great Willowherb 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.