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Purple bell vine · Rhodochiton atrosanguineus

Why are there bugs on my purple bell vine?

Purple bell vines are magnets for tiny sap suckers that love the tender new growth. Check the undersides of your leaves and the tips of the stems for any movement or sticky residue.

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. Inspect the undersides of the leaves with a flashlight.
  2. Look for sticky residue on the stems or leaves.
  3. Shake the vine gently to see if any small white insects fly up.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small green or black insects clustering on the fresh, soft growth at the tips of the vines. They often leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew.

    What to do: Spray the plant down with a strong stream of water to knock them off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.

  2. Whitefly

    Possible

    How to tell: These tiny white insects fly up in a cloud when you brush against the plant. Look for them hiding on the undersides of the leaves.

    What to do: Use yellow sticky traps near the base of the plant to catch adults. Treat the foliage with insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks to break their life cycle.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your purple bell vine

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

Small numbers are manageable, but if the leaves start curling or turning yellow from the stress, you need to treat them immediately.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your vine healthy with consistent water and check the leaves every time you water to catch infestations early.

Purple bell vine: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your purple bell vine 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 these bugs kill my plant?
If left untreated for a long time, they can weaken the vine significantly. Catching them early makes them easy to manage.
Can I use dish soap to kill them?
A very mild solution of dish soap and water can work, but commercial insecticidal soap is safer for the plant foliage.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Purple bell vine

Back to the Purple bell vine 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.