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Viburnum

Why are there holes in my viburnum leaves?

Seeing holes or skeletonized leaves on your viburnum usually points to the viburnum leaf beetle. Check the undersides of your leaves for small larvae or eggs to confirm this is the culprit.

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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 larvae or eggs.
  2. Look for skeletonized leaf tissue.
  3. Check the tips of new growth for clusters of insects.

Likely causes

  1. Viburnum leaf beetle

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see leaves eaten down to the veins, leaving a lace like appearance. Look for small, dark larvae feeding on the undersides of leaves in late spring.

    What to do: Prune away infested branches during the winter when eggs are present on the twigs. For active infestations, use a neem oil spray or insecticidal soap every 7 to 10 days until the pests are gone.

  2. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: New growth looks twisted or curled, and you might see a sticky substance called honeydew on the leaves. Check the tips of the stems for clusters of tiny green or black insects.

    What to do: Spray the plant with a strong stream of water from your hose to knock them off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap once a week for 2 to 3 weeks.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your viburnum

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 entire shrub is being defoliated, it can weaken the plant significantly over time. A few holes here and there are usually manageable.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your viburnum healthy with proper watering and prune out any infested twigs in late winter to remove eggs before they hatch.

Viburnum: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your viburnum 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 the leaves grow back this year?
If the plant is heavily defoliated, it may not produce new leaves until the following spring. Focus on keeping the plant hydrated so it can recover for next season.
Can I use systemic pesticides?
Systemic pesticides can be effective, but they may harm beneficial pollinators. Always try physical removal or organic soaps first.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Viburnum

Back to the Viburnum 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.