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Spittlebugs

Pest

Spittlebugs are small insects that create a protective, frothy mass of bubbles on plant stems to hide from predators and keep moist. While the foam looks messy, these insects rarely cause significant damage to healthy plants.

Spittlebugs on a plant
Photo: Robert Taylor, CC BY

Symptoms by part

Stems

You will see clumps of white, bubbly foam that look like spit, often hiding a small, pale green or brown nymph feeding on the plant sap underneath.

Causes

  • Warm and humid weather conditions.
  • Lush, tender new growth on plants that provides easy access to sap.
  • Overcrowded garden beds that limit airflow.

Could be confused with

  • Cuckoo spit from other insects · Other insects rarely produce the characteristic frothy mass in the same way, and the presence of the nymph inside the foam is a dead giveaway for spittlebugs.
  • Powdery mildew · Powdery mildew looks like a dusty, white fungal coating on leaves or stems rather than a wet, bubbly mass of foam.

Treatment

  1. Spray the foam off the stems using a firm stream of water from a garden hose.
  2. Handpick any visible nymphs from the stems after washing away the foam.
  3. Prune away heavily infested stems if the population is large enough to cause visible wilting.

Without chemicals

  • Use a strong jet of water to dislodge the foam and nymphs.
  • Prune back affected stems to improve airflow and remove the insects.
  • Keep the area around the base of the plant clear of debris to reduce hiding spots.

Chemical options

  • Fatty acids, spray directly onto the nymphs after washing away the foam, follow the label.

Preventing it

  • Maintain good spacing between plants to ensure adequate airflow.
  • Keep plants healthy with appropriate watering and feeding to help them withstand minor feeding.
  • Remove weeds from the surrounding area that might serve as alternative hosts.

Season

The warm growing season.

Spread risk

Low

Severity

Low

When to act

Act as soon as you notice the foam to prevent the nymphs from maturing. You do not need to replace the plant, as it will almost always recover once the insects are removed.

Think it's Spittlebugs?

This guide covers the general picture. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual plant from a photo and tells you what's really going on, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Are spittlebugs harmful to my lavender?
Generally, no. They feed on sap, but they rarely cause enough damage to hurt a mature, healthy lavender plant.
Do I need to use pesticides to get rid of them?
Usually not. A simple blast of water from your hose is often enough to knock them off and solve the problem.
Will the foam hurt my pets or children?
The foam is just a mixture of air and plant sap, so it is not toxic, though it is best to wash hands after touching it.

Plants it affects

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This guide was generated with AI and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.