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White Mustard · Sinapis alba

Why are there tiny holes in my white mustard leaves?

If your white mustard leaves look like they have been hit by a tiny shotgun, you likely have flea beetles. These small, jumping insects love to feed on young mustard greens. Check the undersides of your leaves for these tiny pests.

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 slimy trails on the soil surface.
  3. Check if the holes appear overnight or during the day.

Likely causes

  1. Flea beetles

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see many small, round holes in the leaves and tiny black beetles that jump when you touch the plant. They are most active during warm, sunny days.

    What to do: Cover your plants with floating row covers 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 behind larger, irregular holes and slimy trails on the soil or leaves. They usually feed at night.

    What to do: Handpick them off the plants in the evening or set out shallow containers of beer to trap them. Keep the area around your mustard plants clear of debris where they like to hide.

When to worry

Small amounts of damage are common, but if the entire plant is being skeletonized, it will struggle to grow. Act quickly if you see the holes spreading to new leaves.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your garden beds free of weeds and debris where pests hide. Use row covers early in the season to prevent beetles from reaching your plants.

Not sure which one it is? Photograph your white mustard.

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 safe to eat, but you should wash them thoroughly to remove any insects or debris. Trim away the heavily damaged parts.
Do I need to use harsh chemicals?
No, organic methods like row covers and neem oil are usually very effective for white mustard.

More problems with White Mustard

Back to the White Mustard guide

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.