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Common soapwort · Saponaria officinalis

What are the bugs on my soapwort?

It is less common for soapwort to have pests, but aphids can occasionally cluster on the tender new growth. Check the undersides of the leaves for small, soft bodied 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 undersides of leaves for tiny moving insects.
  2. Check for fine webbing between the stems.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see tiny green or black insects clustered on new stems and leaf undersides. They often leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew.

    What to do: Spray the plant with a strong stream of water to knock them off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks.

  2. Spider Mites

    Possible

    How to tell: Look for fine webbing between the leaves and tiny yellow stippling on the foliage. These pests thrive in hot, dry conditions.

    What to do: Increase humidity around the plant by misting it. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap to treat the leaves every 5 days until they are gone.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common soapwort

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

A few aphids are normal and usually managed by garden predators. Worry only if the plant growth is stunted or the leaves begin to yellow significantly.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant healthy with proper watering and check it weekly for early signs of infestation.

Common soapwort: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common soapwort 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 use dish soap to kill pests?
Avoid using harsh dish detergents as they can burn the leaves. Use a dedicated insecticidal soap instead.
Will these pests kill my soapwort?
Usually not, as soapwort is a very resilient plant. They are mostly a nuisance that can weaken the plant if left unchecked.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Common soapwort

Back to the Common soapwort 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.