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Rocket · Eruca vesicaria

Why are there tiny holes in my rocket leaves?

If you see small, jumping insects on your rocket, you are likely dealing with flea beetles. These pests love to chew tiny, shot-like holes in the leaves, which can quickly ruin your harvest. Check the undersides of the leaves and the soil surface for these tiny, dark, jumping bugs.

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 tiny black beetles.
  2. Look for shiny slime trails on the soil or leaves.
  3. Check if the holes are tiny and round or large and irregular.

Likely causes

  1. Flea beetles

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see tiny, round holes all over the leaves and small black beetles that jump when you touch the plant.

    What to do: Cover your plants with a lightweight floating row cover to physically block the beetles. You can also spray the leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days until the infestation clears.

  2. Slugs or snails

    Possible

    How to tell: These pests leave larger, irregular holes and often leave a shiny slime trail on the leaves or soil.

    What to do: Hand pick them off in the early morning or evening when they are active. You can also place a shallow dish of beer near the plants to trap them.

When to worry

If the holes cover more than half of the leaf surface, the plant may struggle to photosynthesize and should be harvested or removed.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around your rocket free of weeds where beetles hide and use row covers early in the season.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your rocket.

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 the leaves safe to eat if they have holes?
Yes, they are perfectly safe to eat, though they may look a bit ragged. Just wash them thoroughly to remove any lingering pests.
Do I need to throw the plant away?
Not necessarily. If the infestation is light, you can simply harvest the less damaged leaves and protect the rest of the plant.

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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.