Tips for Growing Your Own Lavender Plants

8. Tips for tackling common issues and pests

Prevention is the first and best step for averting many problems with lavender. Provide your plants with ample air circulation and use a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler to help keep the foliage dry. Remove debris from around the plants so that pests cannot hide. Follow these tips to handle common issues:

• Lavender shab: This fungal spore makes the stems twist and turn brown with black spots. Remove and destroy infected plants, but do not place them with your compost pile.
• Froghoppers or spittlebugs: These sap-sucking insects leave unsightly white blobs on stems and leaves. Fortunately, they're easy to hose off with water.
• Root rot: This fungal disease causes leaves to wilt and brown. Cut off and destroy diseased plant parts and roots, and avoid overwatering.