aphids on Pitcher Plant
Quick answer
If your Pitcher Plant has aphids, the most likely cause is: Aphids, also called greenflies, are tiny green, black, grey, or orange sap-sucking insects that gather on the tip of stems and flower buds; on cultivated Sarracenia the first winged greenflies appear early in spring, sucking sap and secreting honeydew that is then colonised by sooty mould, and they can spread viruses among stressed, weakened plants kept indoors or in a greenhouse.
Start here:
- 1. Hang a yellow sticky trap near the plant to monitor and catch aphids, especially on Sarracenia grown under cover where infestations persist into summer.
- 2. Rub aphids off by hand, dislodge them with a gentle spray of water, or spray the foliage with an insecticide; lightly dust affected Sarracenia with sulphur for an organic option.
Why Pitcher Plant gets aphids
Pitcher Plant
Aphids, also called greenflies, are tiny green, black, grey, or orange sap-sucking insects that gather on the tip of stems and flower buds; on cultivated Sarracenia the first winged greenflies appear early in spring, sucking sap and secreting honeydew that is then colonised by sooty mould, and they can spread viruses among stressed, weakened plants kept indoors or in a greenhouse.
How to reverse aphids on Pitcher Plant
- 1
Hang a yellow sticky trap near the plant to monitor and catch aphids, especially on Sarracenia grown under cover where infestations persist into summer.
- 2
Rub aphids off by hand, dislodge them with a gentle spray of water, or spray the foliage with an insecticide; lightly dust affected Sarracenia with sulphur for an organic option.
- 3
Improve airflow and let natural predators such as ladybirds and lacewings find the colony; on healthy outdoor Sarracenia, greenfly usually disappears by late spring on its own.
Keep aphids off this Pitcher Plant
Keep the pitcher plant vigorous with rainwater or distilled water on a constantly moist, airy bog mix; stressed, dry-house Sarracenia are far more attractive to aphids than healthy outdoor plants.