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Blanket flower · Gaillardia grandiflora

What is eating my Blanket Flower?

Pests like aphids are the most common visitors to Blanket Flowers, as they love the tender new growth. Check the tips of your stems and the undersides of leaves for tiny insects.

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

Check these first

  1. Look closely at the new growth tips.
  2. Check the undersides of the leaves.
  3. Look for sticky residue on the stems.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: Clusters of tiny green or black insects on the stems and leaf undersides.

    What to do: Blast the aphids off with a strong stream of water from your hose. For heavy infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil sprayed directly on the bugs.

  2. Spider Mites

    Possible

    How to tell: Fine webbing between leaves and tiny yellow dots on the foliage.

    What to do: Increase humidity around the plant and wash the leaves thoroughly. Use neem oil to manage the population if they persist.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your blanket flower

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

If the plant is covered in insects and the leaves are curling or yellowing, you need to act immediately. A few bugs are usually manageable with natural predators like ladybugs.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy with proper sun and water, as stressed plants are more attractive to pests.

Blanket flower: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your blanket flower 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 aphids kill my Blanket Flower?
They can stunt growth and spread viruses, so it is best to remove them as soon as you see them.
Can I use dish soap to kill the bugs?
Use a mild, non-detergent soap diluted in water, but be careful not to use harsh degreasers that can burn the leaves.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Blanket flower

Back to the Blanket flower 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.