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Coral Bells · Heuchera

What is eating my Coral Bells leaves?

If you see notches or holes in your Heuchera leaves, you likely have a visitor. Adult vine weevils are the most common culprit for this specific damage. Check the leaf edges for characteristic notches to confirm.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

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

Check these first

  1. Look for notches on the leaf edges.
  2. Check the plant at night with a flashlight.
  3. Inspect the soil surface for hiding beetles.

Likely causes

  1. Vine Weevil Adults

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see distinct, semi circular notches chewed out of the leaf edges. The damage is usually done at night while the beetles are active.

    What to do: Go out at night with a flashlight to hand pick and remove the beetles. Use a sticky barrier around the base of the plant to stop them from climbing up. Apply a systemic insecticide if the damage is widespread.

  2. General Leaf Chewers

    Possible

    How to tell: Irregular holes or ragged edges that do not look like neat notches. You might see slugs or caterpillars nearby.

    What to do: Set out beer traps for slugs or hand pick caterpillars during the day. Keep the area around the plant clear of debris where pests hide. Use organic slug bait if necessary.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your coral bells

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 notches are so numerous that the plant cannot photosynthesize effectively. A few small holes are usually just a minor cosmetic issue.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around your plants tidy and free of hiding spots like leaf litter or mulch piles.

Coral Bells: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your coral bells 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

Are these bugs harmful to me?
No, vine weevils are not harmful to humans or pets. They are strictly interested in your garden plants.
Will the leaves grow back?
The damaged leaves will not repair themselves, but the plant will produce new, healthy foliage throughout the growing season.

More problems with Coral Bells

Back to the Coral Bells 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.